Goalkeeper Joe Hart has secured a season-long loan to Premier League new boys Birmingham City, Manchester City have confirmed. City boss Mark Hughes yesterday signed Aston Villa's Stuart Taylor to provide cover as Hart saw his first-team opportunities limited at Eastlands last season after the arrival of Shay Given in January. With next year being a World Cup year, Hart, 22, feels keeping the bench warm at City will be harmful to his chances of making Fabio Capello's England squad for next year's finals in South Africa. The England Under 21 goalkeeper, currently on international duty in Sweden at the European Championships, revealed on the club's official website it was a wrench to be leaving the club, as well as his frustration at having to play second fiddle to Republic of Ireland goalkeeper Given. "It has been tough. It's frustrating, but there's only one person can play in goal and Shay's doing that at the moment," he said. "I've had to deal with it the best I can. It's not been ideal, but it's not the end of the world." Hart has made 33 starts for City and showed great potential, something boss Hughes now hopes he can build on with another season's experience at St Andrews. "I have always said that Joe is a really good young keeper, and his talent was obvious to (goalkeeping coach) Kevin Hitchcock and I from the outset," Hughes added on City's official website. "His contribution to the team prior to Shay Given's arrival was fantastic, but by loaning him to Birmingham, he will add invaluable experience to that already gained here at City. "I know he will relish the prospect of regular Premier League action, which is vital at this stage in his career."
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