Manchester City Transfer News: Joe Hart Thanks Sky Blues Fans, Top Rumours

England goalkeeper Joe Hart has thanked Manchester City fans for their support as the player departs the Premier League to play for Torino in Serie A.

New coach Pep Guardiola showed Hart the door, and the stopper opted to join the Turin club on a loan deal until the end of the campaign. 

Hart took to social media to thank City fans as he left the Etihad Stadium after many years in the Sky Blues' first team.

Alessandro Di Marco/Associated Press

The 'keeper wrote an open letter on Facebook (h/t Liam Corless of the Mirror), stating his gratitude to City supporters and his belief the club are moving forward:

"

I just wanted to take this opportunity to address all the amazing Manchester City fans who have been so good to me. It's been a difficult few weeks but that will never cloud the amazing journey and experience your great club has given to me.

From the moment I signed in 2006, the club and its fans have given me football and life experiences I could never have imagined and I am so thankful for that.

Football is a crazy game and, due to circumstances, I am now moving on to another chapter of my career and I am very grateful that Torino has given me this opportunity to play for their great club.

[...]

There are many great people at the club behind the scenes and the club is moving in the right direction, so I would like to wish Manchester City football club, all its staff and players and of course the fans, all the best for the coming season and beyond.

"

Hart's move to Italy will aid him in his quest to remain England's No. 1, but the standard of football is a drop for the decorated player.

Torino are a mid-table outfit at best, but Hart becomes the first English stopper to ply his trade in Serie A, per Squawka.com:

The 29-year-old started 47 games for City in the Premier League and Europe last term, according to WhoScored.com, and provides the Bull with a steady pair of hands for the next 12 months.

In other news, new signing Gabriel Jesus will remain at Palmeiras until the end of the Brazilian season, arriving at City in December.

The 19-year old has been lauded by his current boss Cuca, who told SporTV (h/t Simon Bajkowski of the Manchester Evening News) the youngster is a "golden boy."

Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images

The attacker has also impressed Brazil legend Ronaldo, who said the teenager has a bright future after winning a gold medal at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games, per Bajkowski: 

"

I look at Gabriel and see myself in the past.

I see similarities... him being so young but already having achieved so much and having so much responsibility. He's got a fantastic future ahead of him and he's already enchanting us with what he's doing.

"

Hart's time at City appears over, and his lack of footwork will have made Guardiola look elsewhere.

The Spaniard needs a sweeper-keeper who can make up an extra defender, and the purchase of Claudio Bravo has seen Hart depart City in the transfer window.

Gabriel has the potential to become a superstar when he arrives in England, and with Guardiola as his mentor, the South American prodigy could quickly develop into a new hero at the Etihad.