PLAYER PROFILE

Darren Bent

Position: Forward

Height: 5'11

Weight: 11st 7lbs

Date of Birth: 1984-02-06 Cambridge, England

Darren Bent

Darren Bent joined Charlton Athletic in a £3million deal in June 2005 and rapidly became one of the hottest properties in English football.

The England Under-21 international agreed a four-year contract at The Valley after Town accepted an offer of £2.5million up front, with a further £500,000 dependent on appearances.

Bent was keen to seal a move to the Barclays Premiership after the Tractor Boys again missed out on promotion through the play-offs and was delighted to hear of Charlton's interest.

"As soon as I met Alan Curbishley and Richard Murray I had no doubt whatsoever that this was the club I wanted to join," the 21-year-old told the Addicks' official website.

"I have been hugely impressed by their plans for the club, both on and off the field, and I am convinced Charlton can go from strength to strength.

"I very much want to be part of that."

Bent scored 47 times in 122 league games for Ipswich after progressing through the youth ranks at Portman Road and continued that form in his first season at the Valley as he scored twenty-two goals in forty-four appearances.

In March 2006 he made his debut for England against Uruguay, also appearing in August of that year against Greece. However, injuries hindered his progress at the start of 2006/07 and while he scored 15 times for Charlton, he couldn't prevent them being relegated and left the club in June 2007 to join Tottenham Hotspur for £16.5m

His first season at White Hart Lane was a mixed one though as he impressed but struggled to find regular first team football.