Former Aston Villa midfielder Thomas Hitzlsperger has revealed he is gay.
The 31-year-old made the announcement in a newspaper published in his home country of Germany.
In a move seldom seen in professional football, the sportsman said; "I'm coming out about my homosexuality because I want to move the discussion about homosexuality among professional sportspeople forwards."
He added; "I've never been ashamed of the way I am."
Hitzlsperger joined Aston Villa as an 18-year-old in 2000, and played for them until 2005, making almost 100 appearances in the club jersey.
He told the newspaper that the subject of sexuality is taboo in the dressing rooms of professional clubs, saying; "Just picture 20 men sat around a table together drinking - you've just got to let the majority be, just as long as the jokes are halfway funny and the talk about homosexuality doesn't get too insulting."
Hitzlsperger is the most high-profile footballer ever to speak openly about being homosexual. He retired from the sport in September of last year following a series of injuries.
Since the interview's publication, many other well known footballers and pundits have taken to Twitter and spoken in support of Thomas, including Gary Lineker and Joey Barton.
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