West Ham midfielder Thomas Hitzlsperger admits he finds more enjoyment in the English game than the German.
Midfield ace enjoying life at Upton Park
West Ham midfielder Thomas Hitzlsperger admits he finds more enjoyment in the English game than the German.
The ex-Aston Villa man announced his debut for the Hammers in style on Monday night when he fired home a trademark left-footed wonder-strike in their 5-1 FA Cup thrashing of Burnley.
Germany international Hitzlsperger, who spent five years with Bundesliga club Stuttgart, was making his much-anticipated first outing at Upton Park after injury kept him sidelined for the first six months of his West Ham career.
And the 28-year-old, who could make his Premier League debut for the Hammers at home to Liverpool on Sunday, says he is relishing his return to English football.
Enjoyable
"Although it has been great most of the time in Germany I have felt that football is more enjoyable for me in the Premiership," Hitzlsperger told
The Independent.
"Of course, you cannot say it is the best league in the world. You never really know. Just being in the Premier League I have had more joy playing than in the Bundesliga.
"They [Germany] have got a lot of good young players coming through, the national team has played ever so well in the World Cup and the years before that.
"You can see the progression in German football but [in England] it all comes together: the physical side, the pace of the game, the passion from the fans.
"The people show you a lot of respect. Sometimes people in Germany are very critical.
"It is easier to make them [fans] happier over here. A good pass, a good tackle, people stand up and cheer. Whereas in Germany I often felt that you have a good game and ten bad minutes, they remember the ten bad minutes."
Hitzlsperger, who shares a nickname with his current club having been labelled 'Der Hammer' by English fans during his time at Villa Park, says scoring on his debut for the East Londoners was a good feeling.
Rewarding
He added: "The gaffer asked me before the game, 'Are you fit to start?' I said I felt good and I could definitely play for an hour.
"As the game went on I didn't want to come off. I have been known for those kind of shots and to score a goal like that in my first game ... it is nice.
"People recognise you quite easily, the nickname as well, it all fits together."
