Joe Hart hasn’t played a Premier League game for Manchester City in two years but the club is considering paying tribute to their now-former goalkeeper in some style.
After putting pen to paper on his £3.5 million move to Burnley early this week, Hart has learned that City are hoping to honour him by potentially naming one of their training pitches after him.
The Times report that the Premier League champions are looking at a number of possible ways to recognise Hart’s 12 years of service to the club, with one option being naming a training pitch at the City Football Academy after the stopper.
Hart won two Premier League titles, an FA Cup and two League Cups during his time at the Etihad but current City boss Pep Guardiola made no secret of the fact that Hart would not be a part of his plans when the Spaniard took over in the summer of 2016.
Having spent the 2016/17 season on loan at Torino in Serie A and last term with West Ham, Hart got his permanent move away from the Citizens earlier this week.
City chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak said: “Joe Hart’s contribution to Manchester City cannot be overstated. His twelve years at the club has seen him produce some remarkable performances and heart-stopping saves that will live in the memory for a long time to come.
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“His passion for and commitment to this club, evidenced by a remarkable tally of 348 appearances, means he will rightly be regarded as a City legend in perpetuity.
“I want to personally thank him for everything he has given to us over very many years and he leaves with Sheikh Mansour’s and my heartfelt best wishes for the next step in his career. He will always be welcome at the club.”
City also intend to honour the 31-year-old with a celebration when Burnley play City at the Etihad in October.
