City consider naming training pitch in Joe Hart's honour

Hart's 12-year stay at the Etihad came to an end on Tuesday as he joined Burnley in a £3.5m move, but his contribution to the club did not go unnoticed.

The former Shrewsbury stopper won two Premier league titles with City and kept goal during their only Champions League semi-final to date.

Now, the club are thought to be looking for a "fitting and lasting tribute" to the 31-year-old, which could come in the form of having a training pitch named after him at the City Football Academy.

The academy is home to all of City's various teams and boasts 16 full-sized pitches, one of which could soon bear Hart's name.

The club granted the same honour to midfielder Yaya Toure after he left in the summer.

City chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak paid tribute to Hart after his exit was confirmed, saying: "Joe Hart's contribution to Manchester City cannot be overstated. His 12 years at the club has seen him produce some remarkable performances and heart-stopping saves that will live in the memory for a long time to come.

"His passion for and commitment to this club, evidenced by a remarkable tally of 348 appearances, means he will rightly be regarded as a City legend in perpetuity.

"I want to personally thank him for everything he has given to us over very many years and he leaves with Sheikh Mansour's and my heartfelt best wishes for the next step in his career. He will always be welcome at the club."