Torino confirm Hart signing
City keeper joins Italian outfit on season-long loan.
By Alyce Johnstone
Manchester City have announced 29-year-old goalkeeper Joe Hart has left to join Italian team Torino on season long loan, after being dropped to third choice stopper and getting permission to leave by City’s new manager Pep Guardiola.
Hart will be the first English goalkeeper for the team. Sam Allardyce, England manager, allowed Hart time away from preparations for the World Cup qualifier to resolve his future before today’s transfer deadline. Hart’s move was confirmed on Tuesday when he was seen leaving the England training camp and travelling to Turin where he finalised the terms and had to undergo a medical.
The loan took place after City signed Claudio Bravo from Barcelona, causing Hart to fall down the pecking order, after Pep Guardiola had made his preference of Bravo clear. The move has given hope to Hart’s future on the England team and made sure he’ll have regular action. Other options were Everton, Sevilla and Sunderland but Hart had no interest in Sunderland and the others distanced themselves from the player. The goalkeeper was pictured holding up a Torino shirt today as the deal was finalised. On the Serie A Side’s website Hart said, “Suddenly my career has taken a turn. It was a sign. Torino's offer came in the right moment, in the right manner. I am very excited to test myself in an important and beautiful league such as Serie A.'’