England goalkeeper Joe Hart has completed a switch to Serie A side Torino on a season long loan with no clause for an option to be sold in the January transfer window.
The England number one has just played one game out of Manchester City’s five this season. City manager Pep Guardiola apparently wants a keeper who is more comfortable with the ball at his feet and thus signed Chile captain Claudio Bravo for £13.5 million from Barcelona.
Hart was already second choice behind Willy Caballero, who has started all of City’s Premier League games so far, and the arrival of Bravo means that as the third-choice keeper, he will practically get no game time.
Earlier on Monday, Hart’s agent Jonathan Barnett was quoted telling www.tuttosport.com,” Yes, Joe Hart will play with Torino. It’s done. The player said yes to the club and also Manchester City have given the green light. It is all true. Tomorrow [Tuesday] Hart will have a medical in Turin.”
Now it seems, the deal is secured.
Hart’s loan agreement with Torino does not include a clause that allows him to accept a permanent move in January so the 29-year-old is set to play at the Italian club for the rest of the season.
The 29 year old was training with the England squad ahead of their two world cup qualifiers, but manager Sam Allardyce gave Hart permission to fly to Turin and secure the deal, which he did on Tuesday mornning.
Premier League rivals Sunderland was also interested in signing Hart, but the goalkeeper preferred not to join a club known for battling with relegation.
Torino, on their part, cannot offer Hart Champions League football this season, as they finished 12th last season. They have started the new campaign by taking three points from their first two games.
With over 100 Premier League clean sheets, Hart holds the record for the most Premier League Golden Glove awards (four) and has amassed over 60 international caps since his debut in 2008.
Sam Allardyce, the new England boss, has made it clear that if Hart wants to keep his place in the England squad, he will have to keep playing regularly.
With the Torino deal now secured, Hart will get regular game time and also be able to concentrate on his performance for the England squad.
