Manchester City transfer news: Joe Hart ready for 'important turn' in his career after completing Torino loan move

Hart will play in Serie A throughout the 2016/17 season after sealing a loan move away from City

Joe Hart has completed a season-long loan move to Italian side Torino after Pep Guardiola deemed the goalkeeper surplus to requirements at Manchester City for the 2016/17 campaign, ensuring that the England international will play regular first-team football in an effort to keep his place in Sam Allardyce’s squad.

After being dropped by Guardiola – who favours Willy Caballero above Hart – the England No 1 was effectively replaced when City completed the £17m signing of Claudio Bravo from Barcelona, and Guardiola made it clear that the 29-year-old was free to leave the club if he could find himself a way out.

The development led to Italian side Torino launching a surprise move for Hart, and he flew to Italy on Tuesday before being unveiled as a new signing of deadline day, less than 12 hours before the cut-off for any transfer business this summer.

Sunderland also attempted to sign Hart and offered to pay a large percentage of his £120,000-a-week salary, but he chose to move to Italy in what he has described as an “exciting test” at a crucial point in his career.

"Suddenly, my career has taken an important turn…Torino's offer came in the right moment, in the right manner,” Hart told Torino’s website. “I am very excited to test myself in an important and beautiful league such as Serie A.

"The history of goalkeepers in Italy is known everywhere. I am sure I will learn in Torino, too. For this reason I accepted President Cairo's proposal.

"I have read an interview about 'Toro': the coach wants humility and ambition. I like that. That's how I want to be."

City fans chanted Hart’s name during the recent 1-0 victory over Steaua Bucharest in the Champions League play-off second leg, and been vocal in their belief that he should not have been dropped by Guardiola – who has admitted the decision could well prove to be a mistake but it was one that he wanted to make.

A short statement released by City expressed the strong relationship between the cluv and Hart, and wished him all the best for the season in Italy.

"A popular, well-liked figure in the dressing room and a fans' favourite thanks to his articulate, straight-talking candour in interviews, Hart now joins Turin-based Serie A outfit Torino for the remainder of the current campaign,” the statement read.

"From everyone at the club, good luck and thank you, Joe!"