Toffees snap up free agent Hitzlsperger

Former Germany international Thomas Hitzlsperger has signed a short-term contract with Everton and could be registered in time for Sunday’s Barclays Premier League match at QPR.

The 30-year-old was without a club after leaving Wolfsburg in the summer and thus able to sign ahead of the weekend’s free transfer deadline.

Hitzlsperger had been training with Everton since late September but will only feature at Loftus Road if he receives international registration in time.

The former Aston Villa, Stuttgart, Lazio and West Ham star has 52 caps for the German national team, the last of which was won two years ago.

Known for his powerful left-foot shot, ‘Der Hammer’ has been signed as cover for the injured Marouane Fellaini, who has been ruled out for up to three weeks with a knee injury.