Newly promoted Premiership side Birmingham City made their initial foray into the transfer market by signing Manchester City’s England U-21 keeper Joe Hart on a season long loan deal and Ecuadorian central defender Giovanny Espinoza.
Joe Hart lost his place at Manchester City after the arrival of Shay Given at Newcastle United and sitting on the bench was proving to be detrimental for his England prospects. Hart, who has a solitary senior cap for England, has been permitted to join Birmingham on a season long loan for the season leading into the World Cup, after City signed former Arsenal goalkeeper Stuart Taylor on a free transfer from Aston Villa.
” By loaning him to Birmingham, he will add invaluable experience to that already gained here at City ” – Manchester City manager Mark Hughes on Joe Hart
Giovanny Espinoza is an experienced central defender who has been part of Ecuador’s squad for two World Cups -2002 and 2006 and has more than 80 caps for his nation. He also has experience of playing in Europe with Dutch club Vitesse Arnhem and had spells at Aucas, Monterrey, Cruziero. He’s been signed from the club Barcelona SC in his homeland for an undisclosed amount. Espinoza told Birmingham’s official website –
“I’m very much looking to playing for this club. It’s a new step in my football career and I hope I can help the team.
“I think I can bring experience to the defence as I’ve played a lot of games at club level and for the national team. My objective is the same as the team, to first of all help the club remain in the Premier League.
“On a personal level I hope to establish myself in the team, give 100% in every game and play as much as possible.”
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