Former Aston Villa midfielder Thomas Hitzlsperger expects to be a first-choice at new club Lazio.

Hitzlsperger signed for Lazio on Monday for a knockdown fee from Stuttgart.

He said: "Lazio worked very hard to get me and I was guaranteed I'd play. Germany manager Joachim Loew told me I must play if I want to go to the World Cup, so I had to make a decision.

"It is a new start. I don't know Serie A or the Italian language well, but everything I've heard so far on Lazio and the city of Rome is very positive.

"On Wednesday I begin training with the team at Formello. I am in good shape physically and hope to play on Sunday against Catania."