The German edition of Playboy magazine says it will feature a transgender model on its cover for the first time.

Giuliana Farfalla is already well-known in the country after appearing as a contestant last year on Heidi Klum’s Germany’s Next Topmodel television show.

German Playboy’s editor-in-chief Florian Boitin said that putting Farfalla on the cover — topless, as is customary for such magazines in Germany — is in line with Playboy founder Hugh Hefner’s tradition of being “resolutely opposed to all forms of exclusion and intolerance”.

Mr Boitin said the 21-year-old – born as Pascal Radermacher in south-western Germany – is a “wonderful example of how important the fight for the right to self-determination is”.

The issue is due in shops on Thursday.

US Playboy featured a transgender Playmate of the Month last year.