Young City goalkeeper Joe Hart has joined League One outfit Blackpool in an emergency loan deal.
The move is initially slated to last for just a week and is expected to end after the Seasiders’ next game, Saturday’s Bloomfield Road fixture against Northampton Town.
Pool boss Simon Grayson was forced to bring in cover after Paul Rachubka, on loan from Huddersfield, suffered a hamstring problem and Rhys Evans sustained a stomach injury, leaving just youngster Lewis Edge available.
England U21 stopper Hart, who secured the move late on Sunday night, made his debut in yesterday’s important 2-0 win at Huddersfield, which saw Blackpool move up to fourth in the division.
Hart signed for City in the summer of 2006 from Shrewsbury Town, where he made 58 starts for the Shrews. The deal taking him to City was initially £600,000 but could rise to £1.5million.
He was capped at Under 19 level for England while at Town and has since made an appearance for the Under 21`s this season against Spain.
The 19-year-old has also made one first-team start for City, in this season’s goalless draw with Sheffield United in the Premiership, whilst also spending some time on loan at Tranmere Rovers, making 6 appearances and conceding 8.
It`s good to see some of the younger members of the squad getting some experience out on loan. Hart is a big talent and hopefully short term switches like this will bring on his decision making and overall development. With Weaver out of contract in the summer, impressing at Blackpool may move him up a notch on the goalkeeping ladder here at City.
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