New manager Pep Guardiola has brought in Claudio Bravo from his former club Barcelona and also rates Wilfredo Caballero above the England number one.
Advertisement
The England worldwide goalkeeper found himself second choice behind Willy Caballero for City’s opening games of 2016-17, but Claudio Bravo’s arrival from Barcelona seemingly demoted Hart to third choice. “And so I had to do something about it. Torino’s offer was the right one at the right time”.
‘I’m very happy to be able to test myself in a lovely and hard league like Serie A.
That led to Hart looking for a way out at the Etihad Stadium and he finalised a move to Serie A side Torino on deadline day.
The move had looked close to completion on Tuesday when Hart was seen holding a Torino shirt and wearing the club’s scarf on a balcony, as he looks to earn his place back in Guardiola’s thoughts for next season.
Hart has now returned to link up with his worldwide teammates on England duty after completing his move.
He said: “His transfer to Torino makes us proud and demonstrates our willingness to build a more competitive team – but only the results will prove it”.
Hart was out of favour at the Premier League leaders because his footwork and passing wasn’t up to the level demanded by Guardiola, who likes goalkeepers to help start attacks and be involved in play.
Hart’s debut could come at Atalanta on September 11.
Guardiola explained that he had dropped Hart due to his desire to use a goalkeeper more comfortable with the ball at his feet.
It would allow Hart to rebuild confidence following a disastrous Euro 2016 campaign for England that did little to boost his chances of holding on to the gloves at City.
Gabon midfielder Didier Ndong joined Sunderland from French side Lorient for 16 million euros ($17.8 million), the seventh signing by recently hired manager David Moyes.
Advertisement
“As always, it will be what happens on the pitch which will determine whether we have succeeded, but certainly we didn’t hesitate for a single second when and we took this opportunity to enter into negotiations with Manchester City”.
