Hart was on the verge of leaving City on loan, too, having landed in Italy to tie up a move to Torino for the remainder of the season.
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The 29-year-old, who has lost his place at Manchester City under new boss Pep Guardiola, has been told by new manager Sam Allardyce that his England place is under threat unless he is playing regular first team football.
The two clubs, alongside Hart’s representatives, spent Monday agreeing the final terms of the contract, with both City and Torino understood to be contributing to the 29-year-old’s salary.
“Suddenly (in) my career has been an important turning: 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 handsome league such as Serie A”.
A deal is now likely to be completed before the 31 August transfer deadline, with Hart then rejoining the England squad for Sunday’s first 2018 World Cup qualifying match in Slovakia.
Hart’s agent Jonathan Barnett was quoted as saying by www.tuttosport.com: “Yes, Joe Hart will play with Torino”.
It’s certainly a refreshing change from the norm to see an Englishman go out and play overseas, with Hart set to become the first English goalkeeper to play in Serie A since the league began in 1929, according to the Guardian.
He is expected to take the gloves from Daniele Padelli, who has failed to impress coach Sinisa Mihajlovic since the former Lazio defender became coach in May. Hart could make his debut against Atalanta on September 11.
Hart had been dropped by Guardiola this season and found himself behind Willy Caballero, even before Bravo’s arrival.
The 24-year-old Tunisia global scored 12 league goals in the past two seasons for Red Star, which plays in France’s second division, and Lille has an option to buy him next June.
Last week, Bravo signed from Guardiola’s former club Barcelona in a deal reportedly worth around 17 million ($22 million, 19 million euros).
“A key figure in a golden age in the club’s history, Joe has collected as many individual prizes as he has team honours in his decade at the Etihad Stadium”, City wrote on their website.
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“Yes, it is all true, and he will have a medical tomorrow [Tuesday] in Turin”. So thank you for that and all the wonderful memories.
