STUTTGART, Germany - Aston Villa's German international midfielder Thomas Hitzlsperger has agreed to join German club VfB Stuttgart on a free transfer at the end of the season, the Bundesliga outfit confirmed on Monday.
Hitzlsperger, who turns 23 on Tuesday, is out of contract with Villa at the end of the current campaign and has penned a two-year deal at Stuttgart.
"I decided to sign for Stuttgart because the sporting perspectives are good and I got a good feeling after talking with the club management."
Left-sided midfielder Hitzlsperger was on the youth books at Bayern Munich but turned down a contract to join Villa at the age of 18.
Hitzlsperger has made close to a 100 Premiership appearances for Villa and made his international debut in Germany's 2-0 win over Iran in October 2004.
Stuttgart coach Matthias Sammer was delighted to grab a young German international without paying a single euro.
"Thomas is a young player who cut the grade in England and has a lot of potential," enthused Sammer.
Stuttgart are currently third in the Bundesliga and on course to net the final Champions League spot.
04/04/2005 13:35 GMT