Thomas Hitzlsperger, the former Aston Villa, Everton, West Ham and Germany midfielder, has become the first Premier League player and highest-profile footballer to announce he is gay.

The 31-year-old, who won 52 caps for Germany and also played for West Ham and Everton, came out as gay in newspaper Die Zeit earlier this week.

He adds there is a long way to go for gay footballers because people “fear the reaction” of coming out.

Kokonsa: