Joe Hart applauded by media for speaking Italian in his first press conference

Say what you like about Joe Hart, but he's not afraid to take a risk.

When it became clear that he was not in Pep Guardiola's immediate plans at the Etihad Stadium, Hart didn't take the easy way out by just heading off to somewhere like Everton, like everyone expected him to. Nobody would have batted an eyelid if England's first-choice shot-stopper joined up with Ronald Koeman at Goodison Park in an attempt to revive his career, but instead Hart saw it as an opportunity to do something that English players so rarely do - go abroad and prove himself on foreign shores. It might have been seen as a step down to join a team like Torino who, for all their rich history, were playing Serie B football just five years ago. And Hart didn't exactly get off to a dream start in Turin, with an embarrassing blunder handing Atalanta a goal as they overturned Turin's 1-0 lead to run out as 2-1 winners. But Hart is doing his best to endear himself to his new club, and has sought to throw off the perception of ignorance that often follows English players when they leave the British Isles. In his first press conference with his new club, Hart made an effort to speak in Italian. Although he admits that he is very fresh at it, those in attendance clearly appreciate the effort as they reward him with some modest applause. Hart, meanwhile, looks utterly relieved not to have made a complete tit of himself. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vf4xazKyYsc In case you were wondering, Hart reportedly said:

"Hello everyone. Thank you all for coming to my presentation. "I am studying Italian. Today I am preparing to talk with my players, Me, you, left, right, pass, carry, give, leave - it's going well. "Thank you to our dear president, thank you to all and excuse me if I respond in English."

Fair play to him. It will surely go a long way to establishing a relationship with the new fans. Read more: