Joe Hart has laid bare his desperation to secure a permanent transfer away from Manchester City and resurrect his career. The former England goalkeeper made his first City appearance since August 2016 in the 1-0 International Champions Cup defeat by Borussia Dortmund at Soldier Field on Friday night.

On as a second-half substitute for Claudio Bravo, the man brought in by manager Pep Guardiola to replace him, Hart looked assured and produced an excellent save midway through the second half.

Hart is in the final year of a contract worth around £160,000 per week but, having spent last season on loan at West Ham as well as moving to Serie A for a spell with Torino during the previous campaign, he will only leave the Etihad if a permanent contract is offered. Guardiola has been impressed with the 31-year-old’s work ethic but Hart knows there is no future for him in Manchester.

“I’ve never had such a long summer off so it’s just good to be playing football again,” said Hart, who admitted he will sit out the final 12 months of his deal if he is unable to find a suitable move. “I’ve been away, enjoyed it as much as I could. I’ve been dealing with it the same way I deal with everything. I’m professional and I get on with things.