English born goalkeeper, Joe Hart, graced the football world for the first time on 19 April 1987. A towering presence in net at 6ft 4in and weighing in at a solid 14st 4lb, he carved out quite a career for himself.
In the early days of his football journey, Hart cut his teeth at Shrewsbury Town, where he began testing his mettle in the 2003 - 2004 season, with a modest two first team appearances. He gradually gained more experience over the following couple of years, making a significant leap to 46 appearances in the 2005 - 2006 season.
Hart took the next step in his career, transferring to Tranmere Rovers in England for a tidy sum of £1.1m in July 2006. During his time there he added another six appearances to his growing portfolio.
Following Tranmere Rovers, he continued his ascent through the English leagues with stints at Blackpool and then Manchester City, where he showcased his talent in a modest one appearance in his initial season, but he quickly seized the main goalkeeper role afterwards.
A brief interlude away from Manchester saw him take up a loan spell at Birmingham City where he maintained his form with 36 first team appearances. He then returned to Manchester City to cement his legacy, consistently making over 30 appearances per season from 2010 to 2016.
In a surprising twist in his career, Hart was loaned to Italian side, Torino in 2016 and later in 2017, with 36 appearances to his name during his spell there.
His return to England saw him suit up for West Ham United and Burnley, adding yet more Premier League appearances to his extensive resume.
But perhaps his most illustrious chapter was his time at Celtic. Arriving at the Scottish champions in the 2021 - 2022 season, he quickly made 35 appearances and became a key player for the Bhoys. He continued his excellent form for the next two seasons, playing a crucial role in 37 matches in each campaign.
Hart's journey from the humble beginnings at Shrewsbury Town to the illustrious, history-rich lands of Celtic Park in Glasgow is a testament to his skill, perseverance and commitment to the game. A true green and white hero indeed.
