New Lazio signing Thomas Hitzlsperger is ready to take on the neo-Nazis in Rome.

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

The former Aston Villa junior is one of the leading figures in battling the rise of neo-Nazis in Germany, writing blogs and holding school seminars. He is aware of Lazio's problems with far-right fans, which were alerted in German newspaper Bild.

"I know full well the club has been linked to this, but I go to Rome without prejudice," said the player.

"I will continue to fight against right-wing extremism and discrimination. I don't want to say any more, as I don't know the Lazio environment yet."