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Goalkeeper Joe Hart joins Torino on loan from Man City

Guardiola had already made clear Hart was behind Willy Caballero in his thoughts.

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Eliaquim Mangala, the defender, is also expected to join Valencia on a season-long loan after he flew to Spain last night. Joe will spend one season on loan in Turin, with the Italian side agreeing to pay 35% of the player’s wages, with City taking care of the rest throughout the next twelve months.

The 29-year-old was given permission to seek alternative employment and Torino emerged as the most likely destination after Everton and Sevilla distanced themselves from the player and Sunderland’s reported interest was not reciprocated.

The England global goalkeeper found himself second choice behind Willy Caballero for City’s opening games of 2016-17, with Claudio Bravo’s arrival from Barcelona seemingly demoting Hart to third choice.

After signing for the coub, Joe Hart said: “Suddenly my career has undergone a change, I interpreted it as a sign of destiny”. It was a sign. “The offer from Torino arrived at the right moment, in the right way”. I am very happy to be able to compare in a attractive and hard league like Serie A. In his time with the club he has won two Premier League titles and an FA Cup trophy as well as four straight golden glove awards between 2010-2014.

Due to a combination of worldwide call-ups, injuries, illness and poor form, the Ivory Coast forward never really got going at Eastlands.

Hughes told the club’s website, www.stokecityfc.com: “Bringing Wilfried in was a no-brainer for us to be perfectly honest because he knows the Premier League and has scored plenty of goals at this level”.

“In addition to Hart’s talent, he is extremely humble, has the enthusiasm to prove himself every single day to earn a place as a protagonist – these are the same stimuli which will also spur on his teammates and for this, and in the name of everybody at the club, I am delighted to give Joe Hart the most cordial of welcomes”.

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Sky Sports News HQ reporter Craig Slater reviews Joe Hart’s move to Torino and takes a brief look at the Italian press.

Manchester City's Joe Hart Considering Surprise Move To Serie A [Guardian]