City loan their Hart out to Torino

LONDON: Torino have completed the signing of goalkeeper Joe Hart from Manchester City on a season-long loan, both clubs confirmed yesterday.

The 29-year-old has been unable to secure a first-team place under new manager Pep Guardiola and has fallen down the pecking order behind £17 million signing Claudio Bravo and Willy Caballero.

The England goalkeeper said his career had reached a turning point. “It was a sign. Torino’s offer came in the right moment, with the right manner. I am very excited to compare myself in an important and beautiful league such as Serie A,” Hart said.

Hart will become the first English goalkeeper to play in Serie A since the league began in 1929. He has won two league titles with City since joining from lower-division side Shrewsbury Town in 2006.

Torino thrashed Bologna 5-1 on Sunday in their latest league game and are seventh in the standings on three points, having conceded four goals in their two matches.

Meanwhile, City striker Sergio Aguero has been allowed an extra 24 hours for his appeal against a Football Association charge of violent conduct.

The club said their officials dealing with the paperwork would be heavily involved yesterday with transfer negotiations, so the FA had agreed to an extra day’s grace.

They now have until 7pm tonight to decide whether to appeal. The Argentine striker was charged following an incident involving West Ham defender Winston Reid during Sunday’s Premier League match at the Etihad Stadium.

If found guilty he will miss three matches, including the local derby against Manchester United on September 10.

In other news, Chelsea have signed left-back Marcos Alonso from Italian top-flight club Fiorentina on a five-year contract, the Premier League side announced yesterday.

No financial details of the deal were disclosed, but British media reported that the fee for Alonso was in the region of £23m. – Reuters