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Why has Joe Hart signed for Torino? Sky in Italy help us explain...

Joe Hart sarà il nuovo portiere del Torino: arriva dal Manchester City (Getty)

England goalkeeper Joe Hart has left Man City and signed for Torino on a season-long loan deal.

But why has Hart chosen to move to Serie A with Torino? Will he play every week? And what do the fans and the Italian media think of the move?

With the help of Sky in Italy's Paolo Aghemo, we take a look at some of the key questions behind Hart's move to Torino...

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Why did Hart choose Torino?

Joe Hart during the UEFA Champions League second leg play-off
Image: Joe Hart during the UEFA Champions League second leg play-off

PA: "Hart was definitely convinced by the project at Torino but he is very keen to test himself in Serie A. He had the choice of Sunderland as well but Italian football, it's a new experience for him and with his situation at City under Pep Guardiola, he pushed for the move to Torino, and in particular Italian football.

"And it's a good choice because Torino are a good club and they are very well run. Mihajlovic has already said he wants the club back in Europe in two years so that challenge also attracted Hart to Torino."

Will he be first choice and play every week?

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TURIN, ITALY - MAY 08:  Daniele Padelli of Torino FC throws the ball during the Serie A match between Torino FC and SSC Napoli at Stadio Olimpico di Torino
Image: Daniele Padelli played in Torino's 5-1 victory against Bologna on Sunday

PA: "There's no doubt about it, he will play every week. The goalkeeping situation at Torino is very difficult. Mihajlovic has three goalkeepers in his squad for the start of the season but no-one was making a case to be the No. 1.

"They started with Alfred Gomis but he had a difficult start and the manager changed his mind. He then made Daniele Padelli, who played once for Liverpool in 2007, the new first choice but he also had difficulties. 

"There wasn't a clear No 1 so Hart is a solution to a big problem."

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Former Blackpool and QPR manager Ian Holloway believes Joe Hart's season-long loan move from Manchester City to Torino will be good for his career.

How are Torino viewed in Italy?

PA: "Torino are a big club of Italian football. We had Grande Torino in the 1940s - a team that won five titles in a row. They also won the Coppa Italia in 1943 becoming the first side to win the coveted Scudetto and Coppa Italia double.

TURIN, ITALY - AUGUST 28:  Players of FC Torino line up during the Serie A match between FC Torino and Bologna FC at Stadio Olimpico di Torino on August 28
Image: Torino finished 12th in Serie A last season

"In 1949, the plane carrying the Torino team home from a friendly in Lisbon against Benfica crashed, claiming the lives of 31 people. They were a legendary team and the legend of the Grande Torino lives on.

"It's a big club in terms of Italian football history and in terms of the supporters. You can liken them to the supporters of Liverpool. They are very close to the team and are an integral part of the club."

Are they still a big club?

TURIN, ITALY - AUGUST 28:  FC Torino head coach Sinisa Mihajlovic looks on during the Serie A match between FC Torino and Bologna FC at Stadio Olimpico di
Image: Sinisa Mihajlovic joined Torino this summer

PA: "In terms of history of course, however, the results have not been going in Torino's favour in recent years and the target for the club is not the Serie A title but to qualify for the Europa League.

"They last won the Scudetto in 1976 so it's 40 years since they won the league title. Last year they finished 12th in Serie A but with Sinisa Mihajlovic in charge, the target is European qualification.

"They are an improving side and they are building a new team with new players like Adem Ljajic and Iago Falque. Hart is another big player and is the symbol of this new project."

Torino v Juventus

Sami Khedira celebrates for Juventus FC
Image: Torino have beat Juventus just once since 1999

PA: "Juventus are winning everything at the moment so it's very difficult for Torino. It's very difficult for the Torino supporters with Juventus in town, just as it was for Manchester City fans when Manchester United were at their most dominant.

"Hart obviously has experience of the Manchester derby and that will stand him in good stead for the Derby della Mole. It's a very passionate affair which Hart will be used to, but technically it could be a challenge with Juve much stronger than Torino at the moment.

"He could have a lot to do against the Serie A champions. Since 1999 Torino have beaten their city rivals just once and that was back in 2015 with Giampiero Ventura, who is now manager of the Italian national side, in charge."

What style of football do Torino play?

Andrea Belotti hit a hat-trick for Torino in the victory
Image: Andrea Belotti hit a hat-trick for Torino in their 5-1 win at the weekend

PA: "Mihajlovic plays a 4-3-3 formation and sets up his team to play attacking football. However, Mihajlovic is not concerned about his goalkeeper playing football from the back. He doesn't want his defence taking unnecessary risks and playing in dangerous areas. It's a good fit for Hart."

Is it a good move for England?

Sam Allardyce has picked his first ever England squad
Image: Sam Allardyce has said Hart needs to play if he wants to stay in England's plans

PA: "It's a good move for England as well. Sam Allardyce has already told Hart he needs to be playing regularly to stay in his plans and Torino will give Hart the game time he needs."

What do the fans think about Hart's move?

Joe Hart appreciated his reception from the City fans on Wednesday
Image: Hart chose a move to Torino over joining Sunderland

PA: "The Torino supporters are enthusiastic about Hart's move to the club. They are all talking about the move and many are saying it's unbelievable that England's No 1 is coming to Torino.

"Hart's a big player and it's been a long time since Torino have been able to attract the big players to the club. The fans also think it's a good deal because Torino will only pay a part of Hart's wages."

How are the Italian media reacting to Hart's move?

Joe Hart of England gestures during the UEFA EURO 2016 Group B match between England and Wales at Stade Bollaert-Delelis on June 16
Image: Hart played in all four of England's games at Euro 2016

PA: "They think it's an excellent move for Torino. Let's be honest, Torino are a middle club in Serie A at the moment and they've managed to attract England's No 1 to Italy.

"It's a really big move for Serie A so it's very important news in the Italian media."

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