Current club: Manchester City
Joe, a 6’3” goalkeeper, was born in Shrewsbury and began his professional career with local League club Shrewsbury Town, then in League Two.
He appeared in all 46 matches in the 2005-06 season, Town finishing tenth, and impressed Premier League Manchester City enough for them to sign him for the following season.
Still only 19, he featured in just one Premier League match and had spells on loan at Tranmere Rovers and Blackpool. He became more of a regular in the next two seasons, with 26 and 23 appearances respectively, before spending the whole of 2009-10 on loan at Birmingham City, where he blossomed into one of the country’s top ‘keepers.
Joe made his debut for England’s Under-21s as a substitute for Scott Carson in a 2-2 friendly draw against Spain in February 2007, going on to collect 21 caps at that level and start three matches in the Euro 2009 tournament in Sweden.
Fabio Capello handed him his first senior cap as a substitute for David James in Trinidad & Tobago in June 2008 and since then he has gone from strength to strength, establishing himself as number one for both Manchester City and England.
Hart, who saw off competition from Shay Given to become his club's first-choice keeper, won The FA Cup with City in 2011 and was outstanding the following season as Roberto Mancini's side battled Manchester rivals United to win the Premier League the title.
He travelled with England to the 2010 World Cup as third-choice keeper but didn't make an appearance; since then however he has played regularly for his country and won plaudits from all quarters