Man City honour Joe Hart by naming training pitch after him

Manchester City have honoured former goalkeeper Joe Hart by naming a training pitch after him.

The 31-year-old Burnley 'keeper won two Premier League titles with the club, making over 300 appearances for the current champions over a 12-year period.

Despite playing a significant role in the club's success over the years, Hart was moved on by manager Pep Guardiola, as he instead put faith in 2016 summer signing from Barcelona Claudio Bravo.

Hart subsequently spent time on loan at both Torino and West Ham before leaving City on a permanent basis in the summer, where he joined up with Sean Dyche's Burnley.

The England international, who has since lost his place in Gareth Southgate's squad and missed out on the World Cup, has admitted that he has no grudge against Guardiola, insisting he is a "top manager", despite not agreeing with his opinion of his own abilities.

And there is clearly no ill-feeling between the City board and Hart, with the club having named a training pitch on their City Football Academy site after their former No.1.

Hart will come up against his former employers with Burnley in the Premier League on Saturday, where City chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak will present the player with a mosaic and lifetime season card after the game.

Al Mubarak told City's official club website: "It is truly fitting to mark Joe Hart’s outstanding contribution to Manchester City in such a visible way.

"During his 12 years with the club, Joe not only produced some incredible individual displays, but also celebrated great success as a member of the club’s most decorated team in decades.

"His Manchester City legacy is assured and it is hoped that this tribute will serve to inspire future generations of goalkeepers who train at the City Football Academy dreaming of replicating his remarkable career."

Hart himself commented: "Having the goalkeeping pitch at the City Football Academy dedicated to me is a huge honour. Manchester City has been a huge part of my life and my career, and I’m immensely proud of what I and my teammates achieved in that period.

"There have been some incredible goalkeeping legends throughout Manchester City’s history, and I feel privileged that the club has chosen to recognise me amongst that number."