Joe Hart Bio Send To Friend  

Hart became one of the most unfortunate victims of Manchester City's new-found wealth in 2009. He emerged as a young goalkeeper of great promise and quality during the 2007-08 campaign, keeping Sweden No.1 Andreas Isaksson out of the City team, and by the end of the campaign he won his first full England cap at 21-years-old in a friendly against Trinidad & Tobago.

After establishing himself as City's first choice keeper under former England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson there was a change of management and ownership at Eastlands. New boss Mark Hughes brought in Republic of Ireland international Shay Given from Newcastle United and Hart was relegated to the bench.

The former Shrewsbury Town player, who won the League Two goalkeeper of the season award for 2005-06, went out on loan to newly-promoted Birmingham City for the 2009-10 season with the aim of securing his place in the England squad for the 2010 World Cup.

Strengths: Great reflexes, good positional sense and is comfortable with the ball at his feet.

Weaknesses: As a young 'keeper, his decision making still needs time to develop.

Career high: Being handed his England debut by Fabio Capello in June 2008 in a friendly in Trinidad & Tobago.

Career low: After making his senior debut for Shrewsbury Town at 17-years-old in April 2004, Hart conceded three goals in the next game, against Morecombe, and did not play again for another year.

Style: Energetic, athletic, a fearless goalkeeper.

Quotes: "He is one of the biggest talents in this country as a goalkeeper, for sure. He has everything. He is physically strong, mentally strong, he has good reflexes, he is very good on the line," former Manchester City and England manager Sven-Goran Eriksson, January 2008.

Trivia: Joe, whose first name is actually Charles, danced around in nothing but a pair of cycling shorts and one sock for Saturday morning football show Soccer AM. Well worth searching YouTube for.

Soccernet says: Too young and inexperienced to be thrown into the action at World Cup 2010, but definitely one to watch for the future.