Joe Hart finally left Manchester City yesterday after spending the previous two seasons on loan at Torino and West Ham but the Premier League champions want to honour the 12 years he spent as a City player.
When Pep Guardiola took over the reigns at Manchester City two years ago it was to great fanfare and excitement from the fans but he quickly annoyed some of them as he decided that fan favourite Joe Hart wasn't in his plans.
In came Claudio Bravo to be the new number one, because of his ability to pass, and fans of the club wondered why a two time Premier League winner was being jettisoned for something not considered key to his role.
Guardiola and Bravo's first season in England weren't exactly brilliant but Hart didn't shine at Torino either so it was no surprise that the Citizens signed another keeper, Ederson, last summer and sent Hart on loan again, this time to West Ham.
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Now the 31 year old has moved to Burnley to join their collection of England international goalkeepers, Jordan Pickford will presumably move in two summers time after Jack Butland's move next year, but City are considering honouring his years of service.
According to The Times they are thinking of naming one of their training pitches at the City Football Academy after Hart.
The move would follow a suit with how they honoured midfielder Yaya Toure after the Ivorian left the Etihad earlier in the summer when his contract expired after eight years at the club.
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In a statement following the former Shrewsbury player's move to Turf Moor Khaldoon Al Mubarak, the City chairman 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. He will always be welcome at the club."
Hart could start Burnley's first game of the Premier League season on Sunday when they face Southampton with Nick Pope out injured with dislocated shoulder and Tom Heaton not fully fit yet.
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