Hart agrees to five-year City contract

Former Shrewsbury Town goalkeeper Joe Hart has signed a new five-year contract with Manchester City.

The England international agreed the deal ahead of yesterday's clash with Stoke.

Hart emerged as first-choice under Sven-Goran Eriksson last season, holding off the claims of Sweden's World Cup keeper Andreas Isaksson.

And, with Isaksson leaving City this summer, new boss Mark Hughes has kept faith with the former Meole Brace School pupil, who also won his first senior cap against Trinidad and Tobago in June.

Hart has now dropped back into the England Under-21 squad, under the guidance of Stuart Pearce, who brought the 21-year-old north to City from Shropshire two seasons ago.

He is expected to be part of Pearce's squad for next summer's European Championship finals in Sweden.

"I am very pleased that Joe has signed this contract," Hughes said.

"Our young players are a huge part of our plans for this club, and securing the services of one of the most promising keepers in the country was key to what we are doing here."

Hart celebrated his contract with a clean sheet in the 3-0 win over Stoke.

City boss Mark Hughes is facing a trio of fitness doubts ahead of Wednesday's trip to Middlesbrough.