Football
Jonathan Smith, Manchester City correspondent 6y

Joe Hart joins Burnley after 12 years as a Manchester City player

Joe Hart has completed his move from Manchester City to Burnley in a deal worth around £4 million.

The 31-year-old goalkeeper, who has signed a two-year contract, will go straight into Sean Dyche's squad and is available for Thursday's Europa League clash with Turkish side Istanbul Basaksehir.

Hart faces a fight to become No. 1 at Turf Moor with fellow England internationals Nick Pope and Tom Heaton as well as former Manchester United goalkeeper Anders Lindegaard.

However, he is likely to start the season as first choice as Pope, who went to the World Cup ahead of Hart, dislocated his shoulder during their Europa League qualifying first-leg tie in Aberdeen.

Heaton, who missed most of last season with the same injury, is still not fully fit as he recovers from a calf injury.

Hart's exit ends a 12-year spell at City although the last two seasons were spent out on loan, firstly in Italy with Torino and then West Ham.

He played 348 games for City, winning the Premier League twice under Roberto Mancini and Manuel Pellegrini.

A club statement from City hailed Hart as a "club legend" and credited him with playing "an instrumental role in establishing the Club as a major force in both domestic and European football."

City chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak said: "Joe Hart's contribution to Manchester City cannot be overstated.

"His 12 years at the club have seen him produce some remarkable performances and heart-stopping saves that will live in the memory for a long time to come.

"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."

City captain Vincent Kompany added: "Joe joined as a young lad from Shrewsbury and leaves a City legend.

"It's been an absolute pleasure to play alongside him for so many years and I know I speak on behalf of every City fan when I say I hope he means as much to his next club as he has meant to us."

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