Sunderland finally completed their club record £10 million (US$17 million) swoop for Tottenham Hotspur striker Darren Bent on Wednesday.
The 25-year-old had become increasingly frustrated after Tottenham’s transfer demands forced him to wait for more than a week to move to the Stadium of Light.
The England international even criticized Spurs chairman Daniel Levy on the Twitter Web site, before being forced to apologize for his comments, but Bent was able to put pen to paper on a four-year contract with Steve Bruce’s team after the last financial details were agreed between the two clubs.
PHOTO: AFP
“Steve Bruce finally has his man, as Sunderland have confirmed the £10 million signing of Spurs striker Darren Bent,” a statement on Sunderland’s Web site confirmed.
Bent becomes the Black Cats’ fourth close-season signing, following the arrivals of Fraizer Campbell, Lorik Cana and Paulo Da Silva.
Bent’s fee surpasses Sunderland’s previous biggest deal — the £9 million capture of Scotland goalkeeper Craig Gordon from Hearts.
Bent scored 55 goals in 141 appearances for Ipswich Town before joining Charlton Athletic, where he notched 37 goals in 79 games prior to a £16.5 million switch to Tottenham.
He netted 25 goals in 79 appearances at Spurs, but never convinced boss Harry Redknapp he was worth a regular place. Redknapp even claimed his wife could have scored a chance Bent missed against Portsmouth last season, but Bruce was delighted to get his man and said: “Good things come to those who wait.”
“It has not quite happened for Darren at Spurs, but he has 50 goals in 100 Premier League starts and that speaks volumes about why we are bringing him to the club,” Bruce said. “He’s had the competition of the likes of [Dimitar] Berbatov, [Jermain] Defoe and [Robbie] Keane, but he has still scored goals when he’s been given games.”
Bruce also revealed that he has opened talks with Australia defender Lucas Neill, who is available on a free transfer after his contract with West Ham United expired at the end of last season.
“It’s a bit preliminary to say the least, but we’ve had a little conversation to see where Lucas is at,” Bruce said. “He’s another player who is experienced, he’s played in the Premier League and he’s on a free transfer, so that’s the attraction.”
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