Football
Jonathan Smith, Manchester City correspondent 6y

Manchester City goalkeeper Joe Hart looking for permanent move away

Manchester City goalkeeper Joe Hart says he is prepared to move abroad again in a bid to kick-start his career.

The 31-year-old has spent the last two seasons on loan -- firstly at Italian club Torino and last year at West Ham United. But after mixed spells, he lost his place in the England squad for this summer's World Cup.

Hart is entering the final year of his contract but despite making his first appearance for City since August 2016 as a second half substitute in the International Champions Cup defeat to Borussia Dortmund on Friday, he wants a permanent move away from the club.

"I need to go somewhere permanent, I think that's obvious," he told reporters. "I did what I did in the previous two seasons because I needed to play to be involved in the World Cup. And look where that got me. I'm experienced, I've played at the highest level for a long time and done a lot of things in the game. I need to be an important player at that club and I think that can only happen with a permanent move.

"I love all the leagues. I've shown that. I went out to Serie A and I loved Serie A. Leagues are there to be played in. There's no league that I'd say no to. I'm open, but I want to do what's right for me at this point of my career and I want to give all of myself to the right cause."

Hart's spell at West Ham did not work out as well as he would have liked with a number of individual errors resulting in him losing his starting place to Spanish keeper Adrian. He also lost his spot as England's No. 1 in November and was then left out of Gareth Southgate's squad altogether for Russia 2018.

Hart, who has 75 caps and had been first choice since 2010, was proud of England's run to the semifinals but admitted it was tough not to be involved.

"I just wanted the team to do well," he said. "I've got a lot of good relationships with the boys in the team and it was nice to see them to do well. Obviously I wanted to be there, I wanted to be involved. That goes without saying, I can't lie about those things.

"In the moment, I just had a lot of sympathy for the people who have watched me all these years because it's not easy watching someone or a team you care about so much. It's not easy watching them and not being able to affect them. Hats off to the people who have supported me all these years because it's not an easy thing to do."

Hart praised the performances of Everton's Jordan Pickford, who excelled at the tournament, but has not given up hope of forcing his way back into the squad.

"Of course, he had a good World Cup. I thought the whole team did really well," he said. "[They were] so close to doing something really special. They did do something special, but they were so close to doing something even more special."

On the chances of a recall Hart added: "I'm 31. I'm young, I'm fit, I'm fresh. I know I've got an awful lot to give in the game. At the same time, I'm realistic about what's gone on and what the people who count think of me and I have to change those opinions."

Hart has impressed Pep Guardiola in preseason with the City boss describing him as a "great professional" who has been "training like an 18-year-old."

"I've never had such a long summer off so it's just good to be playing football again. I've been away, enjoyed it as much as I could. I would've preferred to have been elsewhere but it is what it is and made the most of it," he said.

"I've been dealing with it the same way I deal with everything. I'm professional and I get on with things. My job is to play football. I've got other people trying to sort other things out for me in terms of a direction. I'm supposed to be here so this is where I put all my energy and time."

^ Back to Top ^