“Veteran goalkeeper” Joe Hart (37, Celtic) will call time on his long career after the 2023-2024 season.
“We have some news to share with you as we announce that our goalkeeper, Hart, will retire from football at the end of the season,” Celtic said on the club’s website today.
“Hart recently spoke to the club about his decision. He sat down in front of the cameras to explain his decision to retire to the fans. Everyone at Celtic would like to thank him for his fantastic and enduring contribution to the club.”
Brendan Rodgers added: “Hart has had a phenomenal career and we know he will be sorely missed when he retires in the summer. He deserves a huge amount of praise and congratulations for everything he has achieved during his career. He has been a great player for Celtic and at the highest level at home and abroad,” he said in his farewell.
He added: “Hart is more than that, he is a great person and a great guy to work with. He has been a great teammate to many and has always given nothing but his best,” he said, adding: “I fully understand and respect his retirement and everything that has happened. He will continue to work with the same intensity, dedication and drive to see this season through to the end.”
Hart began his professional career in 2003, when he caught the eye as a first-team regular at Shrewsbury Town, then in the Fourth Division, before moving to Manchester City in 2006. He then spent time on loan at Tranmere Rovers and Blackpool to gain experience.
He won the league title in 2011-2012 and 2013-2014, and also earned England caps, which boosted his stock.
However, Hart gradually lost his place under Pep Guardiola in 2016-2017. Guardiola brought in Claudio Bravo, a passer with great skill, and Hart continued his career with loan spells at Torino, West Ham, and Burnley.
He also has a strong connection to South Korean players. A veteran, Hart joined Tottenham Hotspur in the summer of 2020, and while he didn’t play a lot of minutes behind Hugo Lloris, he was a strong backup goalkeeper with a lot of influence in the locker room.
He also got along well with Son Heung-min and settled in well at Tottenham, but after a year, he was told by manager Nuno Espirito Santo to leave and joined Celtic. He became the first-choice goalkeeper again, helping them win the league title, and has been a regular in goal for Celtic this season.
At Celtic, Hart was also linked with the Celtic trio of Oh, Hyun-gyu Yang, Hyun-joon 안전놀이터 Yang, and Hyuk-gyu Kwon. Oh has said that he has spoken to Son Heung-min about Hart, saying that he takes good care of him.
Hart, who is about to turn 37, has decided to hang up his boots after his contract with Celtic expires at the end of this season. After lifting numerous trophies, including two Premier League titles, four Golden Gloves, one FA Cup, and two Scottish Premiership titles, he will hang up his boots.
“Retirement is something I’ve been thinking about for a while,” Hart told ‘Celtic TV’, “I’ve had conversations with the club, with the manager, with the goalkeeping coach, with the blessing of the club. Obviously, I won’t be playing next season. I won’t be able to play soccer next season.”
Hart also said on his personal social media, “After this season, I will do my best to express what this amazing club means to me. I will tell you what an honor it has been to be a part of it for three years. Until then, I will do everything I can to make this season a success with you. Thank you for your unwavering support.”