Official: West Ham sign Joe Hart from Manchester City on season-long loan deal

West Ham have completed the signing of England’s number one Joe Hart on a season-long loan deal from Manchester City.

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The Hammers will pay a £4.5million loan fee and will have an option to make Hart’s move permanent next summer for around £10million.

This will be Hart’s second loan spell in as many seasons following a year at Torino in Italy’s Serie A. City had hoped to sell him this summer, but a lack of bidders at the asking price led to this compromise, which could see West Ham make his switch permanent in a year’s time.

Hart told the official West Ham website: “It’s important for me to play football and to get the opportunity to come here and play is absolutely awesome

“To be playing in the Premier League for a big club like West Ham, I’m really looking forward to the season.

“I’ve always loved the Club. I think you’ll struggle to find anyone, apart from the direct opposing fans around London, who doesn’t love the Club. It’s got something about it, it’s got a lot history and I’ve always loved playing against West Ham.

“We’ve moved into London Stadium and we’ve got Slaven in charge who I’ve spoken to and I’ve always enjoyed as a manager. He obviously did a good job with Croatia and he’s doing a good job here, so to get the opportunity to come here, it wasn’t really a hard decision.”

Hart was also complimentary about Manchester City and the fans.

“I’d like to think I’ve obviously left Manchester City on loan this season, but the club as a whole, especially the supporters, have always been fantastic to me.

“I’d never change how I feel about that club, as it’ll always be a very special club to me.

“It’ll be fun to play against them because I’ll be banned when it comes to the actual season, while I’m sure Manchester United will welcome me with open arms if I get the nod and start the season away at Old Trafford.”