How a £100,000 bargain became a Premier League legend
In short: In 2006, Manchester City secured a goalkeeper for just £100,000. That player, Joe Hart, would go on to share the record for the most Premier League Golden Glove awards, anchoring a championship-winning era and earning the praise of icons like Lionel Messi.
Joe Hart’s ascent from the English Football Conference to the pinnacle of the Premier League is a masterclass in rapid progression. Beginning his career at his hometown club, Shrewsbury Town, Hart was already a non-playing substitute for the first team at just 15 years old. By 17, he made his senior debut against Gravesend & Northfield in April 2004. His talent was quickly recognized by scouts from clubs including Everton and Arsenal, leading to a move to Manchester City in 2006 for a fee revealed by chairman John Wardle to be only £100,000.
His tenure at Manchester City was defined by periods of immense dominance and high-stakes pressure. Hart achieved a remarkable feat by winning the Premier League Golden Glove award four times in five years, a joint record. His ability to perform in the biggest moments was evidenced by his 100 Premier League clean sheets and his legendary Champions League performance against FC Barcelona, where he made 10 saves in a single match—a record for an English goalkeeper in the competition. Even Lionel Messi described him as a "phenomenon" following that display.
However, the career of a top-tier goalkeeper is rarely a linear climb. Following the arrival of Pep Guardiola in 2016, Hart transitioned to a second-choice role, leading to loan spells at Torino and West Ham United. Despite these shifts, his later career saw a significant resurgence. Moving to the Scottish Premiership with Celtic, he secured seven honours in just three seasons, including three consecutive league titles, before eventually retiring at the end of the 2023–24 season.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Joe Hart
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