Premier League - Birmingham snap up duo

Eurosport - Wed, 24 Jun 16:19:00 2009

Premier League new boys Birmingham have made a double swoop for Joe Hart on loan from Manchester City and Giovanny Espinoza from Ecuadorian club Barcelona Sporting Club.

FOOTBALL 2008-2009 Premier League Manchester City Joe Hart - 0

Hart has been seeking first-team football since being squeezed out at Eastlands by the arrival of Shay Given in January.

City snapped up Stuart Taylor from Aston Villa on Tuesday, providing the cover they needed to let Hart go.

The 22-year-old, who is on international duty with the U21s at the European Championships, has one senior cap and wants to be playing regularly in the build-up to the World Cup, having lost his place in Fabio Capello's squad since dropping down the City pecking order.

Hart has made 33 starts for City and showed great potential, something boss Mark Hughes now hopes he can build on with another season's experience.

"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 told 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."

Hart, who joined City from Shrewsbury in 2006, has admitted that it has been frustrating to sit on the sidelines after a taste of being the number one.

"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."

Espinoza arrives on a two-year deal and the 32-year-old has set his sights on helping Blues secure Premier League survival.

Espinoza has won more than 80 caps for his country and participated in two World Cups.

But he also has previous experience of playing in Europe with Dutch club Vitesse Arnhem during the 2007-08 campaign.

In addition he had spells at Aucas and LDU Quito (Ecuador), Mexican side Monterrey and Brazilian club Cruzeiro.

The 6ft 2ins Espinoza is renowned for his strength and speed.

He 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 per cent in every game and play as much as possible."

PA Sport

Comment 1 - 19 of 19

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  1. hope u do good there joe it will be good for u its sad­ to see u go but ull be back

    From welshy1, on Fri 26 Jun 11:23PM

  2. whats that got to do with barca

    From BETHANY, on Thu 25 Jun 4:44PM

  3. 22 years old playing for U21??? what???

    From john t, on Thu 25 Jun 2:49AM

  4. joe hart will do great for you.. he needed the games­ and a great loan signing.. I am sad to see him go

    From mike, on Wed 24 Jun 6:31PM

  5. to Graham P, not sure the kids will be fazed by blue­ language down st andrews mate they will probably be­ able to teach him a thing or two! LOL

    From f.russell1, on Wed 24 Jun 5:53PM

  6. just dont unserstand dont even know why they bought­ given
    joe was having a good season then they bring in­ given
    and to be fair to joe given hasnt played any­ better them him
    and where is kesper why could nt they­ bring him back
    instead of of buying another keeper­ from villa

    From ann d, on Wed 24 Jun 4:19PM

  7. just dont unserstand dont even know why they bought­ given
    joe was having a good season then they bring in­ given
    and to be fair to joe given hasnt played any­ better them him
    and where is kesper why could nt they­ bring him back
    instead of of buying another keeper­ from villa

    From ann d, on Wed 24 Jun 4:18PM

  8. Better tell the kids behind the goals at St Andrews to­ cover their ears. Quite amusing listening to his blue­ language at the U21s

    From Graham P, on Wed 24 Jun 12:38PM

  9. If he's smart enough he would have had some­ guarantees before joining Birmingham otherwise it's­ a very poor decision.

    From Morituri, on Wed 24 Jun 12:17PM

  10. future england number 1 sound piece of business by the­ blues i say finish above villa then you can say your­ the best club in brum

    From Danny P, on Wed 24 Jun 12:08PM

  11. Should get plenty of practise next season....

    From richardflahertyuk, on Wed 24 Jun 11:56AM

  12. Great keeper, although he does need to continue is­ learning curve and Birmingham is as good a place as­ any. Hopefully when we get him back, he will be an­ even more accomplished premiership keeper and with a­ bit of luck will have a chance of getting into the­ England set-up. God luck to both Joe and Birmingham!

    From tonyjoe79, on Wed 24 Jun 11:39AM
  13. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    Even now that he has joined who's to say that­ he'll slot into the first team straightaway ahead­ of the outstanding Northern Irishman Maik Taylor? I see­ this as a case of 'out of the frying pan and into­ the fire'. It's silly after being erroneously­ (in my opinion) promoted to first-choice ahead of the­ outstanding Swede Andreas Isaksson that he's now­ complaining about not getting enough games after a mere­ half-season back on the bench. It would have been­ better if he had shown a bit more fight and loyalty the­ way Manchester United's Ben Foster has done!

    From Mani, on Wed 24 Jun 11:06AM

  14. well done blues, a good signing, try and make it­ permanent !

    From peter, on Wed 24 Jun 10:55AM

  15. Good luck Joe, your going to need it with that defence­ in front of you.
    MCFC

    From stephenjohnson245, on Wed 24 Jun 10:46AM

  16. Damn, he went to to the wrong side of Birmingham! Shame­ its only a loan - he should help you stay up next­ year!

    Up the Villa! ;o)

    From Steve, on Wed 24 Jun 9:27AM

  17. Happy Days...Well done Mcleish and the board..!

    Keep­ Right On my fellow Blue Noses

    From Neil, on Wed 24 Jun 9:17AM

  18. everton should of snapped him up as he will be a great­ goalkeeper in the next 4 to 5 years

    From Paul T, on Wed 24 Jun 9:14AM

  19. Great signing , he's developing into a sound player­ .

    From www.gmsport.co.uk, on Wed 24 Jun 9:12AM
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