Darren Bent
{{short description|English footballer (born 1984)}}
{{Use British English|date=July 2019}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2019}}
{{Good article}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Darren Bent
| image = Darren Bent 26-04-2008 1.jpg
| caption = Bent in 2008
| full_name = Darren Ashley Bent{{cite web |url=https://www.efl.com/siteassets/efl-documents/efl-professional-retain-list--free-transfers---2017-18.pdf |title=List of players given a free transfer: Derby County |publisher=English Football League |page=95 |access-date=18 April 2020}}
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1984|2|6|df=y}}{{cite web |url=https://www.worldfootball.net/player_summary/darren-bent/ |title=Darren Bent: Profile |website=worldfootball.net |publisher=HEIM:SPIEL |access-date=18 April 2020}}
| birth_place = Tooting, England
| height = {{convert|1.80|m|order=flip}}{{cite web |url=https://www.dcfc.co.uk/teams/player/darren-bent |title=Darren Bent |publisher=Derby County F.C. |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170929044253/https://www.dcfc.co.uk/teams/player/darren-bent |archive-date=29 September 2017 |url-status=dead}}
| position = Striker
| currentclub =
| youthyears1 = {{0|0000}}–1998
| youthclubs1 = Godmanchester Rovers
| youthyears2 = 1998–2001
| youthclubs2 = Ipswich Town
| years1 = 2001–2005
| clubs1 = Ipswich Town
| caps1 = 122
| goals1 = 48
| years2 = 2005–2007
| clubs2 = Charlton Athletic
| caps2 = 68
| goals2 = 31
| years3 = 2007–2009
| clubs3 = Tottenham Hotspur
| caps3 = 60
| goals3 = 18
| years4 = 2009–2011
| clubs4 = Sunderland
| caps4 = 58
| goals4 = 32
| years5 = 2011–2015
| clubs5 = Aston Villa
| caps5 = 61
| goals5 = 21
| years6 = 2013–2014
| clubs6 = → Fulham (loan)
| caps6 = 24
| goals6 = 3
| years7 = 2014
| clubs7 = → Brighton & Hove Albion (loan)
| caps7 = 5
| goals7 = 2
| years8 = 2015
| clubs8 = → Derby County (loan)
| caps8 = 15
| goals8 = 10
| years9 = 2015–2018
| clubs9 = Derby County
| caps9 = 58
| goals9 = 12
| years10 = 2018
| clubs10 = → Burton Albion (loan)
| caps10 = 15
| goals10 = 2
| totalcaps = 486
| totalgoals = 179
| nationalyears1 = 1999–2000
| nationalteam1 = England U15
| nationalcaps1 = 8
| nationalgoals1 = 7
| nationalyears2 = 2000–2001
| nationalteam2 = England U16
| nationalcaps2 = 11
| nationalgoals2 = 3
| nationalyears3 = 2002
| nationalteam3 = England U19
| nationalcaps3 = 3
| nationalgoals3 = 3
| nationalyears4 = 2003–2005
| nationalteam4 = England U21
| nationalcaps4 = 14
| nationalgoals4 = 9
| nationalyears5 = 2006–2011
| nationalteam5 = England
| nationalcaps5 = 13
| nationalgoals5 = 4
}}
Darren Ashley Bent (born 6 February 1984) is an English former professional footballer who played as a striker and is currently a radio presenter for talkSPORT.{{Cite web |last=Darcy |first=Libby |date=2022-04-10 |title=talkSPORT's Darren Bent to play in Manchester Remembers game |url=https://www.news.co.uk/latest-news/talksports-darren-bent-to-play-in-manchester-remembers-game/ |access-date=2024-06-23 |website=News UK |language=en}} He played in the Premier League and Championship for nine clubs, and at senior international level for the England national team.
Bent started his career with Godmanchester Rovers before being scouted by Ipswich Town. After progressing through their youth system, he made his first-team debut in 2001. He made 122 appearances and scored 48 goals in the league for Ipswich, before joining Charlton Athletic for a fee of £2.5 million in 2005. He was Charlton Athletic's top goalscorer for two consecutive seasons and joined Tottenham Hotspur for a club-record fee of £16.5 million in 2007. After two seasons at Tottenham, he joined Sunderland. After a successful 18 months at Sunderland, he joined Aston Villa in 2011. Bent had loans with Fulham, Brighton & Hove Albion and Derby County, and after being released by Villa in 2015, joined Derby permanently.
Bent represented England at under-15, under-16, under-19, under-21 and senior levels. He made 14 appearances and scored 9 goals for the under-21 team after making his debut against Italy in 2003. He made his debut for the senior England team in 2006 against Uruguay, and went on to make 13 appearances for England, scoring four goals. He scored his first goal on 7 September 2010 in a 3–1 UEFA Euro 2012 qualifying match victory against Switzerland.
Club career
=Ipswich Town=
Bent progressed through Ipswich Town's youth system, having joined the club at age 14 in 1998, after considering a possible career in athletics.{{cite news |first=Joel |last=Campbell |title=I'm bigger than racism |url=http://archive.voice-online.co.uk/content.php?show=12265 |newspaper=The Voice |location=London |date=31 October 2007 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130114061812/http://archive.voice-online.co.uk/content.php?show=12265 |archive-date=14 January 2013 |url-status=dead |access-date=11 July 2011}} He signed a professional contract with Ipswich on 2 July 2001.{{cite web |url=http://englandfootballonline.com/TeamPlyrsBios/PlayersB/BioBentDA.html |title=Darren Bent |website=England Football Online |date=14 May 2018 |access-date=24 July 2018}} He made his first-team debut on 1 November 2001 in a 3–1 victory against Helsingborg in the UEFA Cup, and scored his first senior goal in a 4–1 League Cup defeat to Newcastle United on 27 November 2001. Bent scored his first Premier League goal on 24 April 2002 in a 1–0 win over Middlesbrough. He finished the 2001–02 season with seven appearances and two goals in all competitions, and also saw his team Ipswich face relegation into the First Division.
He became a key part of Ipswich's first-team squad during the 2002–03 season. He scored his first goal of the season on 24 August, scoring the equalizing goal in a 1–1 draw with Millwall. On 31 October 2002 he scored the winning goal against Slovan Liberec in the UEFA Cup. On 2 March he scored in a 2–0 win against Norwich City in the East Anglian derby. Bent finished the 2002–03 season with 18 goals, while also winning Ipswich's Young Player of the Year award.{{cite news |title=I Want to Stay - Pablo |url=https://www.twtd.co.uk/ipswich-town-news/5101/i-want-to-stay--pablo |publisher=TWTD |date=28 April 2003 |access-date=26 June 2020}}
Bent signed a new contract with Ipswich on 13 June 2003, signing a deal until June 2006.{{cite news |title=Bent Signs Deal |url=https://www.twtd.co.uk/ipswich-town-news/5324/bent-signs-deal |publisher=TWTD |date=13 June 2003 |access-date=26 June 2020}} He continued to feature regularly during the 2003–04 season. On 16 March, he scored a hat-trick in a 3–1 win over Walsall. Ipswich finished 5th in the league in the 2003–04 season, eventually losing out to West Ham United over two legs in the play-offs, with Bent scoring the winning goal in the first-leg as Ipswich won 1–0 at Portman Road, before losing the second-leg 0–2. Bent finished the season as Ipswich's top-scorer with 16 goals.
He once again helped Ipswich challenge for promotion during the following season, continuing his goal scoring form alongside strike partner Shefki Kuqi. Ipswich finished 3rd in the 2004–05 season, narrowly missing out on automatic promotion by two points, before losing out to West Ham United in the play-off semi-finals for the second consecutive season. He finished the season with 20 goals, being the team's joint highest goalscorer along with Shefki Kuqi.
=Charlton Athletic=
File:Darren Bent 31-03-2007 1.jpg in 2007]]
Bent completed a transfer to Charlton Athletic on 1 June 2005, which was worth an initial fee of £2.5 million, but would have risen to £3 million if he made an agreed number of appearances for Charlton and for England.{{cite web |title=Bent signs for Charlton |url=http://www.itfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10272~670487,00.html |publisher=Ipswich Town F.C. |date=1 June 2005 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120328112439/http://www.itfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0%2C%2C10272~670487%2C00.html |archive-date=28 March 2012 |url-status=dead }} On the opening day of the 2005–06 Premier League season, Bent scored two goals on his Charlton debut against Sunderland,{{Cite news |title=Sunderland 1–3 Charlton |url=http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/4127036.stm |website=BBC Sport |date=13 August 2005 |access-date=18 May 2011}} and was named Premier League Player of the Month for August.{{Cite news |title=Bent is August's Premiership pick |url=http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/4230004.stm |website=BBC Sport |date=9 September 2005 |access-date=11 July 2011}} He scored in his first four appearances for the club, one of only six players to perform this feat in the Premier League.{{cite news |title=Coyle happy to take a loan |url=http://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/sport/wanderers/wanderersnews/8888933.Coyle_happy_to_take_a_loan/ |newspaper=The Bolton News |date=4 March 2011 |access-date=29 November 2016}} Bent was the highest scoring Englishman in the Premier League in 2005–06, with 18 goals (22 overall), which made him third highest scorer{{cite web |url=http://www.espnfc.com/english-premier-league/23/statistics/scorers?season=2005 |title=Statistics: Top scorers: 2005/2006 |website=ESPN FC |access-date=7 December 2017}} and was given Charlton's Player of the Year award.{{cite news |first=Gary |last=Haines |title=Bent: I'll miss fantastic fans |url=http://www.cafc.co.uk/newsview.ink?nid=30963&newstype=p |publisher=Charlton Athletic F.C. |date=29 June 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080517161919/http://www.cafc.co.uk/newsview.ink?nid=30963&newstype=p |archive-date=17 May 2008 |url-status=dead}} He signed an extension to his contract at Charlton in July, which contracted him until June 2010.{{Cite news |title=Bent pens four-year Charlton deal |url=http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/5192508.stm |website=BBC Sport |date=18 July 2006 |access-date=11 July 2011}} Bent finished 2006–07 with 13 goals in the Premier League, again finishing as Charlton's top goalscorer, but was unable to prevent them from being relegated into the Championship after seven successive seasons of Premier League football. Charlton accepted a bid from West Ham United for him in June 2007, but Bent was not interested in a move to the club.{{Cite news |title=Spurs new favourites to land Bent |url=http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/6751387.stm |website=BBC Sport |date=15 June 2007 |access-date=11 July 2011}}
=Tottenham Hotspur=
File:Darren Bent 28-07-2008 1.jpg in 2008]]
Bent completed a move to Tottenham Hotspur for a club-record fee of £16.5 million on 29 June 2007, which was to be payable over three years and is inclusive of add-on payments.{{Cite news |title=Bent makes £16.5m Tottenham move |url=http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/6252254.stm |website=BBC Sport |date=29 June 2007 |access-date=11 July 2011}} Ipswich were entitled to 20% of Charlton's profit on Bent under a sell-on clause, which gave the club an initial £2.58 million.{{cite web |first=Matt |last=Wright |title=Darren departs in record deal |url=http://www.cafc.co.uk/newsview.ink?nid=30959&newstype=p |publisher=Charlton Athletic F.C. |date=29 June 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070909015944/http://www.cafc.co.uk/newsview.ink?nid=30959&newstype=p |archive-date=9 September 2007 |url-status=dead}} He scored his first competitive goal for Tottenham in a 4–0 home victory over Derby County in August 2007.{{Cite news |first=Sam |last=Lyon |title=Tottenham 4–0 Derby |url=http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/6941864.stm |website=BBC Sport |date=18 August 2007 |access-date=18 May 2011}} This was followed up by scoring in the 6–1 win over Anorthosis Famagusta in the first round of the UEFA Cup on 20 September 2007.{{Cite news |first=John |last=Sinnott |title=Tottenham 6–1 A Famagusta |url=http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/europe/6996465.stm |website=BBC Sport |date=20 September 2007 |access-date=18 May 2011}} Bent was an unused substitute for the 2008 League Cup Final at Wembley Stadium on 24 February, as Tottenham beat Chelsea 2–1 after extra time.{{cite news |first=Jonathan |last=Stevenson |title=Tottenham 2–1 Chelsea |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/7256729.stm |website=BBC Sport |date=24 February 2008 |access-date=7 December 2017}} He scored his 100th career goal on 9 March 2008 in the added time of a 4–0 league win over West Ham.{{Cite news |first=Charlie |last=Caroe |title=Tottenham's Darren Bent joy at 100th goal |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/2294089/Tottenham%27s-Darren-Bent-joy-at-100th-goal.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160509133114/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/2294089/Tottenham%27s-Darren-Bent-joy-at-100th-goal.html |archive-date=2016-05-09 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |location=London |date=10 March 2008 |access-date=13 August 2008}} He also scored the 100th goal to be scored at White Hart Lane during 2007–08 on 22 March in a 2–0 win over Portsmouth.{{Cite news |first=Ian |last=Hughes |title=Tottenham 2–0 Portsmouth |url=http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/7298225.stm |website=BBC Sport |date=22 March 2008 |access-date=18 May 2011}} Bent went on to score one more goal in the 2007–08 season, against Newcastle United, which he finished with 36 appearances and 8 goals.
File:Darren Bent 21-07-2009 1.jpg
Bent scored 12 goals for Tottenham during the 2008–09 pre-season.{{Cite news |first=Stef |last=Blin |title=Tottenham manager Juande Ramos facing striker crisis |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/tottenham-hotspur/2550519/Manchester-United-set-to-land-Tottenhams-Dimitar-Berbatov-with-28m-bid-Football.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/tottenham-hotspur/2550519/Manchester-United-set-to-land-Tottenhams-Dimitar-Berbatov-with-28m-bid-Football.html |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |location=London |date=13 August 2008 |access-date=26 January 2011}}{{cbignore}} His first league goal of the season came against Chelsea, which gave his team a 1–1 draw.{{cite news |first=Mandeep |last=Sanghera |title=Chelsea 1–1 Tottenham |url=http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/7578479.stm |website=BBC Sport |date=31 August 2008 |access-date=31 August 2008}} He scored a header in the second half of Tottenham's UEFA Cup first round match against Wisła Kraków, giving the team a 2–1 victory.{{Cite news |first=Phil |last=Dawkes |title=Tottenham 2–1 Wisla Krakow |url=http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/europe/7615242.stm |website=BBC Sport |date=18 September 2008 |access-date=18 May 2011}} On 6 November, in a match against Dinamo Zagreb, Bent scored his first competitive hat-trick for Tottenham.{{cite news |first=Gary |last=Jacob |title=Hat-trick from electric Darren Bent has Dynamo powerless |url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/premier_league/tottenham/article5102341.ece |newspaper=The Times |location=London |date=7 November 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110903205908/http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/premier_league/tottenham/article5102341.ece |archive-date=3 September 2011 |url-status=dead}} He followed this up with two goals in a 2–1 victory against Manchester City at the City of Manchester Stadium.{{Cite news |first=Phil |last=Dawkes |title=Man City 1–2 Tottenham |url=http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/7709050.stm |website=BBC Sport |date=9 November 2008 |access-date=18 May 2011}}
A miss in front of an open goal in the final minutes during a home match against Portsmouth in January 2009, which cost Tottenham two points, prompted manager Harry Redknapp to claim, "You will never get a better chance to win a match than that. My missus could have scored that one."{{Cite news |title=Redknapp amazed by late Bent miss |url=http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/7836585.stm |website=BBC Sport |date=19 January 2009 |access-date=11 July 2011}} On 31 January, Bent scored two goals in the period of two minutes against Bolton Wanderers at the Reebok Stadium after coming on as a second-half substitute, in a match that eventually finished as a 3–2 defeat.{{Cite news |first=Sam |last=Lyon |title=Bolton 3–2 Tottenham |url=http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/7856381.stm |website=BBC Sport |date=31 January 2009 |access-date=18 May 2011}} Following the return of striker Robbie Keane at Tottenham, Redknapp assured Bent of his future at the club.{{Cite news |title=Redknapp reassures Bent on future |url=http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/7866875.stm |website=BBC Sport |date=3 February 2009 |access-date=11 July 2011}} He finished the season as Tottenham's top goalscorer with 17 goals in 43 matches.
=Sunderland=
Sunderland opened negotiations to sign Bent in July 2009.{{Cite news |title=Sunderland open talks with Bent |url=http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/8172438.stm |website=BBC Sport |date=28 July 2009 |access-date=11 July 2011}} The deal seemed delayed and through social networking website Twitter he accused club chairman Daniel Levy of disrupting his move to Sunderland, although Bent later apologised, saying he acted out of frustration.{{Cite news |title=Bent apologises for online rant |url=http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/8177678.stm |website=BBC Sport |date=31 July 2009 |access-date=11 July 2011}} He travelled to Sunderland to sign for the club after they agreed a fee with Tottenham, and after passing a medical, Bent signed for Sunderland on 5 August for an initial fee of £10 million plus potential additional payments, which later rose to £16.5 million.{{Cite news |title=Bent seals record Sunderland move |url=http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/8178460.stm |website=BBC Sport |date=5 August 2009 |access-date=11 July 2011}} He scored on his Sunderland debut, which was the only goal in a 1–0 victory against Bolton,{{Cite news |first=James |last=Standley |title=Bolton 0–1 Sunderland |url=http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/8198188.stm |website=BBC Sport |date=15 August 2009 |access-date=18 May 2011}} and was followed with Sunderland's opening goal against Chelsea in a 3–1 defeat.{{Cite news |first=Andrew |last=McKenzie |title=Sunderland 1–3 Chelsea |url=http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/8202329.stm |website=BBC Sport |date=18 August 2009 |access-date=18 August 2009}} He scored a brace in the 4–1 win over Hull City to give himself his third and fourth goals in five matches.{{Cite news |first=Owen |last=Phillips |title=Sunderland 4–1 Hull |url=http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/8250284.stm |website=BBC Sport |date=12 September 2009 |access-date=18 May 2011}}
Bent scored Sunderland's only goal against Burnley at Turf Moor, making the score 1–1, before losing 3–1.{{Cite news |first=Mike |last=Henson |title=Burnley 3–1 Sunderland |url=http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/8255397.stm |website=BBC Sport |date=19 September 2009 |access-date=18 May 2011}} He scored again in a 5–2 win against Wolverhampton Wanderers,{{Cite news |first=Paul |last=Fletcher |title=Sunderland 5–2 Wolverhampton |url=http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/8271618.stm |website=BBC Sport |date=27 September 2009 |access-date=18 May 2011}} although after the match, Sunderland manager Steve Bruce was left angry at Bent's decision to give Sunderland's second penalty kick to teammate Kenwyne Jones, after the latter "pleaded" with Bent to take the penalty so that he could get on the score sheet.{{Cite news |title=Bruce in Bent blast over penalty |url=http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/8277854.stm |website=BBC Sport |date=27 September 2009 |access-date=11 July 2011}} Bent scored in a 1–0 victory against Liverpool on 17 October 2009 when his shot hit a beach ball thrown onto the field by a Liverpool fan and past confused goalkeeper Pepe Reina into the net.{{Cite news |first=Mandeep |last=Sanghera |title=Sunderland 1–0 Liverpool |url=http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/8308907.stm |website=BBC Sport |date=17 October 2009 |access-date=18 May 2011}} He scored his first hat-trick for Sunderland in a 4–0 victory over Bolton on 9 March 2010.{{Cite news |first=Phil |last=Dawkes |title=Sunderland 4–0 Bolton |url=http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/8550477.stm |website=BBC Sport |date=9 March 2010 |access-date=9 March 2010}} He scored two goals, one a penalty, but missed two other penalties as they were saved by Heurelho Gomes in a 3–1 victory against former club Tottenham on 3 April.{{Cite news |first=Jamie |last=Lillywhite |title=Sunderland 3–1 Tottenham |url=http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/8596807.stm |website=BBC Sport |date=3 April 2010 |access-date=18 May 2011}} Bent finished the 2009–10 season with 25 goals in 40 appearances in all competitions, 24 of which came in the Premier League, amounting to 50% of Sunderland's 48 goals in the league that season.{{Cite web |title=Summary |url=http://www.whoscored.com/Regions/252/Tournaments/2/Seasons/1849 |website=WhoScored.com |access-date=7 September 2011}} He was named as Sunderland's Player of the Year.{{cite news |title=Bent: Much more to come |url=http://www.sunderlandecho.com/sport/bent-much-more-to-come-1-2165964 |newspaper=Sunderland Echo |date=15 September 2010 |access-date=3 May 2017 |archive-date=9 December 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171209044008/https://www.sunderlandecho.com/sport/bent-much-more-to-come-1-2165964 |url-status=dead }}
Bent made his first appearance of 2010–11 in the opening match, a 2–2 draw with Birmingham City on 14 August and opened the scoring with a penalty in the 24th minute.{{Cite news |first=Chris |last=Whyatt |title=Sunderland 2–2 Birmingham |url=http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/8901729.stm |website=BBC Sport |date=14 August 2010 |access-date=18 May 2011}} He scored the winning goal with stoppage time penalty as Sunderland beat Manchester City 1–0 on 29 August.{{Cite news |first=Kevin |last=Darling |title=Sunderland 1–0 Man City |url=http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/8948037.stm |website=BBC Sport |date=29 August 2010 |access-date=18 May 2011}} Bent scored the equaliser during stoppage time to earn Sunderland a 1–1 draw against Arsenal on 18 September.{{Cite news |first=Saj |last=Chowdhury |title=Sunderland 1–1 Arsenal |url=http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/9000607.stm |website=BBC Sport |date=18 September 2010 |access-date=18 May 2011}} He then scored twice in Sunderland's 2–2 draw at Liverpool.{{Cite news |first=Mandeep |last=Sanghera |title=Liverpool 2–2 Sunderland |url=http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/9020950.stm |website=BBC Sport |date=25 September 2010 |access-date=18 May 2011}}
=Aston Villa=
File:Darren Bent 15-05-2011 1.jpg in 2011]]
On 17 January 2011, Bent submitted a transfer request, amid reports that Aston Villa had made a club-record £18 million bid for him, which was rejected.{{cite news |first=Graeme |last=Anderson |title=Sunderland confirm Darren Bent transfer request |url=http://www.sunderlandecho.com/news/sunderland-confirm-darren-bent-transfer-request-1-2937961 |newspaper=Sunderland Echo |date=17 January 2011 |access-date=29 November 2016 |archive-date=4 June 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160604193944/http://www.sunderlandecho.com/news/sunderland-confirm-darren-bent-transfer-request-1-2937961 |url-status=dead }} Villa then submitted an improved offer of £18 million, potentially rising to £24 million, which was then accepted.{{cite news |first=Louise |last=Taylor |title=Darren Bent heads for Aston Villa in record £24m deal |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2011/jan/17/darren-bent-sunderland-aston-villa |newspaper=The Guardian |location=London |date=17 January 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160828111329/https://www.theguardian.com/football/2011/jan/17/darren-bent-sunderland-aston-villa |archive-date=28 August 2016 |url-status=dead}} The following day, Bent completed his move to Villa and signed a four-and-a-half-year deal.{{cite web |title=Villa seal deal for record signing Bent |url=https://www.avfc.co.uk/news/2011/01/18/villa-seal-deal-for-record-signing-bent |publisher=Aston Villa F.C. |date=18 January 2011 |access-date=29 November 2016}} He scored the winning goal on his debut against Manchester City in a 1–0 victory at Villa Park.{{Cite news |title=Gerard Houllier hails Darren Bent's Aston Villa debut |url=http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/9370882.stm |website=BBC Sport |date=22 January 2011 |access-date=11 July 2011}} Bent scored his second Villa goal in his third appearance for his team when he completed the full 90 minutes against Manchester United at Old Trafford in a 3–1 away defeat.{{Cite news |first=Mandeep |last=Sanghera |title=Man Utd 3–1 Aston Villa |url=http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/9379942.stm |website=BBC Sport |date=1 February 2011 |access-date=18 May 2011}} Bent scored both of Villa's goals in their 2–1 away victory over Arsenal in the penultimate match of the season on 15 May. The first was a nicely crafted volley after he chested down a Kyle Walker chipped pass, with the second coming a few minutes later after a slip from Arsenal's Thomas Vermaelen allowed Ashley Young the time to thread a pass through the Gunners' defence and Bent to sidefoot home for 2–0.{{Cite news |first=Sam |last=Sheringham |title=Arsenal 1–2 Aston Villa |url=http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/9484060.stm |website=BBC Sport |date=15 May 2011 |access-date=14 August 2011}} He finished the season with 9 goals in 16 Premier League appearances for Villa, becoming the club's joint top-scorer with Ashley Young, despite only joining in January. He was also the top English goalscorer in the Premier League and the fourth highest scorer overall that season with 17 goals,{{cite web |url=http://www.espnfc.com/english-premier-league/23/statistics/scorers?season=2010 |title=Statistics: Top scorers: 2010/2011 |website=ESPN FC |access-date=7 December 2017}} eight of which were scored for Sunderland.
In his first full season with Villa, Bent scored his first goal of the season against Blackburn Rovers in a 3–1 victory on 20 August 2011.{{cite news |first=Nabil |last=Hassan |title=Aston Villa 3–1 Blackburn |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/14514645 |website=BBC Sport |date=20 August 2011 |access-date=29 November 2016}} In his first match against former club Sunderland, a 2–2 draw at the Stadium of Light on 29 October 2011, every time he received a touch on the ball, he was booed by the home support.{{Cite news |first=Becky |last=Ashton |title=Sunderland 2–2 Aston Villa |url=http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/15413502.stm |website=BBC Sport |date=29 October 2011 |access-date=16 August 2012}} Bent then suffered an injury during the match against Bolton and was out for the next few matches as a result.{{Cite news |first=Marc |last=Higginson |title=Bolton 1–2 Aston Villa |url=http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/16015783.stm |website=BBC Sport |date=10 December 2011 |access-date=16 August 2012}} Bent caused controversy when a fan posted a picture and claimed the striker was out shopping while his teammates were losing 2–0 to Liverpool. It was later revealed Bent had been sent home to recover from his injury and afterwards he apologised to the Villa fans for his actions.{{Cite news |first=Chris |last=Bascombe |title=Darren Bent apologises for shopping trip while Aston Villa suffer defeat against Liverpool |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/aston-villa/8964524/Darren-Bent-apologises-for-shopping-trip-while-Aston-Villa-suffer-defeat-against-Liverpool.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/aston-villa/8964524/Darren-Bent-apologises-for-shopping-trip-while-Aston-Villa-suffer-defeat-against-Liverpool.html |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |location=London |date=19 December 2011 |access-date=13 February 2012}}{{cbignore}} After apologising, Villa manager Alex McLeish reacted angrily to the "conspiracy theory" over Bent's absence for Villa.{{cite news |title=Darren Bent's shopping trip sparks row |url=https://www.expressandstar.com/sport/football/aston-villa/2011/12/19/darren-bents-shopping-trip-sparks-row/ |newspaper=Express & Star |location=Wolverhampton |date=19 December 2011 |access-date=24 June 2017}} This led to Bent having to deny a fall-out with McLeish.{{cite news |title=Bent denies Villa bust-up |url=http://www.skysports.com/football/news/11095/7387450 |website=Sky Sports |date=19 December 2011 |access-date=29 November 2016}} Bent made his return as a 78th-minute substitute in the match against Chelsea on 31 December 2011, scoring the third goal to seal a 3–1 win at Stamford Bridge.{{Cite news |first=Owen |last=Phillips |title=Chelsea 1–3 Aston Villa |url=http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/16324977.stm |website=BBC Sport |date=31 December 2011 |access-date=16 August 2012}} After not scoring in the next two matches, Bent went on a run by scoring in the next four matches for Villa, including his first FA Cup goal in a Villa shirt on 29 January 2012, against Arsenal in an eventual 3–2 defeat.{{cite news |first=Neil |last=Johnston |title=Arsenal 3–2 Aston Villa |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/16670050 |website=BBC Sport |date=29 January 2012 |access-date=29 November 2016}} Three days later, Bent scored his 100th Premier League goal as Villa came from behind to earn a 2–2 home draw against Queens Park Rangers.{{cite news |first=Ewan |last=Murray |title=Darren Bent hopes joining 100 club will boost his England cause |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2012/feb/02/darren-bent-100-club-england |newspaper=The Guardian |location=London |date=2 February 2012 |access-date=29 November 2016}} He was the 21st player to reach the milestone.{{cite news |title=Bent delighted to join 100 goals club |url=http://www.premierleague.com/en-gb/news/news/2011-12/feb/bent-delighted-to-join-100-goals-clubs.html |publisher=Premier League |date=2 February 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150815120212/http://www.premierleague.com/en-gb/news/news/2011-12/feb/bent-delighted-to-join-100-goals-clubs.html |archive-date=15 August 2015 |url-status=dead}}
On 25 February 2012, in a match against Wigan Athletic, Bent landed awkwardly on his ankle after tangling with Antolín Alcaraz.{{cite news |title=Wigan 0–0 Aston Villa |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/17082835 |website=BBC Sport |date=25 February 2012 |access-date=29 November 2016}} He was stretchered off the pitch with what was thought to be a serious injury. This was confirmed two days later, after Bent had a scan on his ankle that revealed he had ruptured ligaments. He was out for three months which effectively ended his season with Villa and most likely his chance to play at UEFA Euro 2012.{{cite news |title=Villa's Darren Bent ruled out for three months with ankle injury |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/17177740 |website=BBC Sport |date=27 February 2012 |access-date=29 November 2016}} Bent had recovered from his injury by mid-May and was in contention for Villa's final match of 2011–12 against Norwich City but was ultimately left out. This also gave him the possibility of making new England manager Roy Hodgson's Euro 2012 England squad.{{cite news |title=Aston Villa's Darren Bent could be fit for England at Euro 2012 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2012/may/02/aston-villa-darren-bent-england-euro |newspaper=The Guardian |location=London |agency=Press Association |date=2 May 2012 |access-date=29 November 2016}} Bent vowed to prove his fitness to Hodgson, in the hope he would be selected to play in the tournament.{{cite news |title=Darren Bent to make Aston Villa return to prove Euro 2012 fitness |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/17783573 |website=BBC Sport |date=11 May 2012 |access-date=29 November 2016}} Bent once again finished as Villa's top scorer with 10 goals in 25 appearances and vowed to stay on at the club.{{cite news |title=Bent wants Villa stay |url=http://www.skysports.com/football/news/11661/7760049/Bent-wants-Villa-stay |website=Sky Sports |date=16 May 2012 |access-date=29 November 2016}}
On 28 August, Bent scored his first goal of 2012–13 in a 3–0 victory over League One team Tranmere Rovers in the second round of the League Cup, his first goal for Villa since February 2012.{{cite news |title=Aston Villa 3–0 Tranmere |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/19340518 |website=BBC Sport |date=28 August 2012 |access-date=29 November 2016}} Bent lost the Villa captaincy to Ron Vlaar, after the Dutchman was appointed captain for the 2–0 victory against Swansea City on 15 September 2012 and thereafter.{{cite news |title=Ron Vlaar: I'm proud to be new captain of Aston Villa |url=http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/ron-vlaar-im-proud-to-be-new-4260 |newspaper=Birmingham Mail |date=19 September 2012 |access-date=10 November 2015}} He scored his first league goal of the season on 22 September, in a 4–1 defeat away to Southampton.{{cite news |first=Aimee |last=Lewis |title=Southampton 4–1 Aston Villa |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/19615244 |website=BBC Sport |date=22 September 2012 |access-date=29 November 2016}} Bent then lost his starting place for the next league match against West Bromwich Albion, after the performances of Gabriel Agbonlahor and Christian Benteke during the midweek League Cup victory over Manchester City saw the pair start up front.{{cite news |first=Alistair |last=Magowan |title=Aston Villa 1–1 West Brom |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/19690546 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211207102537/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/19690546 |url-status=dead |archive-date=7 December 2021 |website=BBC Sport |date=30 September 2012 |access-date=29 November 2016}}{{cite news |title=Man City 2–4 Aston Villa |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/19632327 |website=BBC Sport |date=25 September 2012 |access-date=29 November 2016}} However, after coming on for Benteke as a 68th-minute substitute, Bent scored the equaliser against West Brom in a 1–1 draw.
Bent joined Villa's Premier League rivals Fulham on a season-long loan on 16 August 2013.{{cite news |title=Fulham sign Darren Bent on loan from Aston Villa |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/23711266 |website=BBC Sport |date=16 August 2013 |access-date=29 November 2016}} He scored his first goal for Fulham on 24 August 2013 on his debut, 18 minutes after replacing Damien Duff in a 3–1 defeat at home to London rivals Arsenal.{{cite news |first=Owen |last=Phillips |title=Fulham 1–3 Arsenal |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/23744679 |website=BBC Sport |date=24 August 2013 |access-date=29 November 2016}} On 24 September, only three minutes after coming on for Adel Taarabt, he scored the winner in a 2–1 home win over Everton in the third round of the League Cup.{{cite news |title=Capital One Cup: Bent grabs second-half winner as Fulham beat Everton |url=http://www.skysports.com/football/fulham-vs-everton/report/301233 |publisher=Sky Sports |date=25 September 2013 |access-date=10 November 2015}} Again as a late substitute, this time for Dimitar Berbatov, he scored the only goal in Fulham's home league win over Stoke City on 5 October, taking control of Pajtim Kasami's shot and cutting past Robert Huth.{{cite news |first=Mandeep |last=Sanghera |title=Fulham 1–0 Stoke City |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/24350199 |website=BBC Sport |date=5 October 2013 |access-date=29 November 2016}}
Despite scoring in the first match{{cite news |title=Norwich 1–1 Fulham: Robert Snodgrass header forces FA Cup replay as Carrow Road tie ends in stalemate |url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/match-reports/norwich-1-1-fulham-report-robert-2988803 |newspaper=Daily Mirror |location=London |date=4 January 2014 |access-date=30 May 2014}} and replay{{cite news |first=James |last=Rich |title=Fulham find fluency to see off Norwich in FA Cup and lift gloom |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2014/jan/14/fulham-norwich-city-fa-cup-third-round-replay |newspaper=The Guardian |location=London |date=14 January 2014 |access-date=29 November 2016}} against Norwich City in the third round of the FA Cup, Bent went 13 league matches without scoring before an added-time equaliser at Old Trafford to gain a 2–2 draw against Manchester United on 9 February after replacing Muamer Tanković at half-time.{{cite news |title=Premier League: Fulham claim a dramatic point after 2–2 draw with Manchester United |url=http://www.skysports.com/football/man-utd-vs-fulham/report/287530 |website=Sky Sports |date=10 February 2014 |access-date=30 May 2014}} He finished his loan with 6 goals in 30 matches, and Fulham were relegated into the Championship.
On 26 November 2014, Bent joined Brighton & Hove Albion on a one-month loan.{{cite news |title=Darren Bent: Brighton sign Aston Villa striker on loan |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/30210373 |website=BBC Sport |date=26 November 2014 |access-date=29 November 2016}} Three days later, he scored on his debut for the Championship club, opening a 2–1 defeat to his former employers Fulham at Falmer Stadium.{{cite news |title=Brighton & Hove Albion 1–2 Fulham |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/30155731 |website=BBC Sport |date=29 November 2014 |access-date=29 November 2016}}
=Derby County and retirement=
After two goals in five appearances for Brighton, Bent was loaned to another Championship club, Derby County, on 2 January 2015. He was signed by his former international manager Steve McClaren on a deal lasting until the end of the season.{{cite news |title=Darren Bent: Derby County sign Aston Villa striker on loan |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/30657286 |website=BBC Sport |date=2 January 2015 |access-date=29 November 2016}} With his fourth goal in five matches, he equalised in a 2–2 draw away to then league leaders AFC Bournemouth on 10 February 2015.{{cite news |title=AFC Bournemouth 2–2 Derby County |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/31105937 |website=BBC Sport |date=10 February 2015 |access-date=29 November 2016}} Bent scored 12 goals from 17 appearances as Derby finished in eighth place in the Championship table, missing out on a play-off place by one point.{{cite web |url=http://www.soccerbase.com/tournaments/tournament.sd?tourn_id=1387 |title=Championship: 2014/15: Latest table |website=Soccerbase |publisher=Centurycomm |access-date=24 June 2017}} He was released by Aston Villa on 8 June 2015,{{cite news |title=Aston Villa confirm departure of Darren Bent and offer Ron Vlaar new contract |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2015/jun/08/aston-villa-darren-bent-ron-vlaar |newspaper=The Guardian |location=London |date=8 June 2015 |access-date=29 November 2016}} ahead of a permanent transfer to Derby on a two-year contract, with a one-year option.{{cite web |title=Derby County move to sign striker Darren Bent after successful loan spell |url=https://www.dcfc.co.uk/news/2015/06/derby-county-move-to-sign-striker-darren-bent-after-successful-loan-spell |publisher=Derby County F.C. |date=8 June 2015 |access-date=24 June 2017}}
On 26 January 2018, Bent joined fellow Championship side Burton Albion on loan for the remainder of the 2017–18 season.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/42833844 |title=Darren Bent: Burton Albion sign Derby's former England striker on loan |website=BBC Sport |date=26 January 2018 |access-date=26 January 2018}} He was yet to make a first team appearance for Derby during the 2017–18 season after suffering a pre-season hamstring injury. He scored his first goal for Burton in a 3–1 loss away to Cardiff City on 30 March 2018.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/43510078 |title=Cardiff City 3–1 Burton Albion |first=Chris |last=Wathan |website=BBC Sport |date=30 March 2018 |access-date=31 March 2018}} On 21 April 2018 Bent scored a goal against his former club Sunderland as Burton came from a goal down to win 2–1 and condemn the former club to their second relegation in as many seasons.{{Cite web |title=Sunderland relegated as Liam Boyce's injury-time winner gives Burton hope |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2018/apr/21/sunderland-burton-albion-championship-match-report |date=21 April 2018 |access-date=27 April 2018 |newspaper=The Guardian |first=Louise |last=Taylor}} He was released by Derby at the end of the 2017–18 season.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/44170611 |title=Derby County: Darren Bent, Chris Baird and Jason Shackell released by Rams |website=BBC Sport |date=18 May 2018 |access-date=18 May 2018}}
Bent announced his retirement from playing on 25 July 2019.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/49119271 |title=Darren Bent: Ex-England and Tottenham striker retires aged 35 |website=BBC Sport |date=25 July 2019 |access-date=26 July 2019}}
International career
=Youth=
Bent made his debut for the England national under-15 team on 15 October 1999 as an 85th-minute substitute in a 2–1 win over Northern Ireland in the team's opening match at the 1999 Victory Shield.{{cite book |editor1-first=Glenda |editor1-last=Rollin |editor2-first=Jack |editor2-last=Rollin |title=Rothmans Football Yearbook 2000–2001 |year=2000 |publisher=Headline Publishing Group |location=London |isbn=978-0-7472-7232-8 |page=873}} He started the following match on 28 October 1999, scoring in the third minute as England beat Wales 3–1. He played in all three matches, scoring once, as England won the tournament, topping the table with nine points.{{cite web |url=http://www.englandfootballonline.com/MatchRsl/MatchRslTmU16.html |title=England's under 16 matches |website=England Football Online |date=14 June 2007 |access-date=24 July 2018}} Bent represented the under-15s at the 2000 Ballymena Tournament, starting in their first match on 24 April, a 1–0 defeat to Switzerland. The following day, he scored England's four goals in their 4–0 win over Finland. Bent scored in England's 3–2 win over Belgium on 29 April 2000 in the seventh-place match.{{cite web |url=https://www.rsssf.org/tablesb/ballymena-u16.html |title=Ballymena U-16 Tournament |first=Erik |last=Garin |publisher=Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation |date=20 June 2007 |access-date=24 July 2018}} He finished his under-15 career with seven goals in eight appearances from 1999 to 2000.
Bent made his under-16 debut on 31 July in their opening match at the 2000 Nordic Cup, coming on as a substitute as England beat Finland 2–1.{{cite book |editor1-first=Glenda |editor1-last=Rollin |editor2-first=Jack |editor2-last=Rollin |title=Rothmans Football Yearbook 2001–2002 |year=2001 |publisher=Headline Publishing Group |location=London |isbn=978-0-7472-7260-1 |pages=883–884}}{{cite web |url=https://www.rsssf.org/tablesn/nordic-junior.html |title=Nordic Cup for Juniors |first=Erik |last=Garin |publisher=Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation |date=12 July 2018 |access-date=24 July 2018}} He scored in the 52nd minute of England's 3–0 win over the Faroe Islands on 3 August 2000, before starting in the final the following day, in which England were beaten 3–0 by Sweden. Bent represented England at the 2001 Algarve Tournament, appearing as a substitute in the team's three matches as they were eliminated at the group stage.{{cite web |url=https://www.rsssf.org/tablesp/port-youth-tourn.html |title=Various Youth Tournaments Portugal |first=Erik |last=Garin |publisher=Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation |date=12 July 2018 |access-date=24 July 2018}} He made 11 appearances and scored 3 goals for the under-16s from 2000 to 2001.
His debut for the under-19 team came on 14 February 2002 when starting against Germany in a friendly, scoring two goals in a 3–1 victory.{{cite book |editor1-first=Glenda |editor1-last=Rollin |editor2-first=Jack |editor2-last=Rollin |title=Rothmans Football Yearbook 2002–2003 |year=2002 |publisher=Headline Publishing Group |location=London |isbn=978-0-7553-1100-2 |page=902}} Bent scored in the 33rd minute of a 1–1 draw with Lithuania on 17 April 2002 in the 2002 UEFA European Under-19 Championship qualification intermediary round first leg, with a 2–1 win in the second leg securing England's qualification for the tournament.{{cite web |url=https://www.rsssf.org/tablese/ec-u18-02.html |title=European U-19 Championship 2002 |first=Julian |last=Díaz Rubio |publisher=Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation |date=5 August 2002 |access-date=24 July 2018}} He finished his time with the under-19s with three appearances, scoring three goals, in 2002.
Bent's first appearance for the under-21 team came on 11 February 2003 as a 71st-minute substitute against Italy in a friendly, which England lost 1–0.{{cite web |url=http://www.englandfootballonline.com/MatchRsl/MatchRslTmU21pg3.html |title=England's matches: The under 21's: 2000–10 |website=England Football Online |date=29 September 2017 |access-date=24 July 2018}}{{cite book |editor1-first=Glenda |editor1-last=Rollin |editor2-first=Jack |editor2-last=Rollin |title=Sky Sports Football Yearbook 2003–2004 |year=2003 |publisher=Headline Publishing Group |location=London |isbn=978-0-7553-1228-3 |page=886}} His first goal came on his second appearance on 2 June 2003, with an 87th-minute winner in a 3–2 win over Serbia and Montenegro in a friendly.{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2003/jun/03/newsstory.sport8 |title=England's youngsters look to Slovakia with a smile |first=Mark |last=Staniforth |newspaper=The Guardian |location=London |date=3 June 2003 |access-date=24 July 2018}} He played in both leg's of England's 3–2 aggregate defeat to France in the 2006 UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualification play-offs, and scored in the 55th minute of the 2–1 defeat on 15 November 2005 in the second leg.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/internationals/4420738.stm |title=England U21 1–1 France U21 |website=BBC Sport |date=11 November 2005 |access-date=24 July 2018}}{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/internationals/4438376.stm |title=France U21 2–1 England U21 |website=BBC Sport |date=15 November 2005 |access-date=24 July 2018}} This was his last appearance for the under-21s, finishing his time with them with 14 appearances and 9 goals.{{cite web |url=https://www.11v11.com/players/darren-bent-16526/ |title=Darren Bent |website=11v11.com |publisher=AFS Enterprises |access-date=24 July 2018}}
=Senior=
Bent received his first call up to the senior England team for the friendly against Denmark on 17 August 2005,{{Cite news |title=Bent replaces Johnson for England |url=http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/internationals/4140984.stm |website=BBC Sport |date=14 August 2005 |access-date=18 May 2011}} but did not play in the match.{{Cite news |title=Bent 'will improve with England' |url=http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/4163722.stm |website=BBC Sport |date=18 August 2005 |access-date=11 July 2011}} His England debut eventually came on 1 March 2006, when he started against Uruguay at Anfield in a pre-2006 FIFA World Cup friendly match.{{Cite news |title=England 2–1 Uruguay |url=http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/internationals/4754630.stm |website=BBC Sport |date=1 March 2006 |access-date=18 May 2011}} He was not included in England's World Cup squad when it was announced in May 2006.{{Cite news |title=Walcott & Lennon in England squad |url=http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/world_cup_2006/teams/england/4983618.stm |website=BBC Sport |date=8 May 2006 |access-date=18 May 2011}}
Despite having played for the senior team, Bent was recalled to the under-21 squad for their October 2006 qualification play-offs against Germany.{{Cite news |title=Woodgate close to England recall |url=http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/internationals/5398216.stm |website=BBC Sport |date=2 October 2006 |access-date=18 May 2011}} Later that month, he was recalled to the senior squad due to an injury to Andrew Johnson shortly after the squad's announcement.{{Cite news |title=Round-up: Johnson blow for England |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/2347090/Round-up-Johnson-blow-for-England.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/2347090/Round-up-Johnson-blow-for-England.html |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |location=London |date=4 October 2006 |access-date=18 May 2011}}{{cbignore}} He was called to the England squad for a UEFA Euro 2008 qualifier against Croatia in November 2007.{{Cite news |title=Bent drafted in for Croatia clash |url=http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/internationals/7100869.stm |website=BBC Sport |date=18 November 2007 |access-date=18 May 2011}} He came on as an 80th-minute substitute as England lost 3–2 and failed to qualify for the tournament.{{Cite news |first=Jonathan |last=Stevenson |title=England 2–3 Croatia |url=http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/internationals/7103110.stm |website=BBC Sport |date=21 November 2007 |access-date=18 May 2011}} He was called up to the team for a 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Ukraine in March 2009 following an injury to striker Carlton Cole.{{Cite news |title=Injury-hit England call up Bent |url=http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/internationals/7965142.stm |website=BBC Sport |date=28 March 2009 |access-date=18 May 2011}} He made his second start for England in a 1–0 friendly defeat to Brazil on 14 November 2009.{{Cite news |first=Phil |last=McNulty |title=Brazil 1–0 England |url=http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/internationals/8353751.stm |website=BBC Sport |date=14 November 2009 |access-date=18 May 2011}} Bent was named in England's preliminary 30-man squad for the 2010 World Cup on 11 May 2010,{{Cite news |title=Fabio Capello makes surprise England World Cup choices |url=http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/world_cup_2010/8673706.stm |website=BBC Sport |date=11 May 2010 |access-date=18 May 2011}} although he was eventually omitted from the final 23-man squad on 1 June.{{Cite news |title=World Cup 2010: Theo Walcott left out of England squad |url=http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/world_cup_2010/8713742.stm |website=BBC Sport |date=1 June 2010 |access-date=18 May 2011}}
Bent scored his first international goal in England's 3–1 away win over Switzerland after appearing as a substitute for Jermain Defoe in a Euro 2012 qualifier on 7 September 2010. Then-England manager Fabio Capello stated he had been impressed with the improvement in Bent's all-round game since his World Cup omission{{Cite news |first=Mike |last=Field |title=Capello Praises Improved Darren Bent |url=http://www.astonvilla.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=7507538 |website=Vital Villa |date=7 February 2011 |access-date=4 April 2011 |archive-date=21 February 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110221224756/http://www.astonvilla.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=7507538 |url-status=dead }} and selected him in the starting 11 for England's friendly with Denmark, where he scored a tap-in from a Theo Walcott cross. Bent retained his place for England's Euro 2012 qualifier with Wales to make his first competitive international start on 26 March 2011.{{Cite news |first=Gregg |last=Evans |title=Aston Villa: Darren Bent set for first competitive England start |url=http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/aston-villa-darren-bent-set-151200 |newspaper=Birmingham Mail |date=26 March 2011 |access-date=10 November 2015}} In scoring England's second goal, he took his tally to three goals in his last three matches.{{cite news |title=Darren Bent wants an England run |url=https://www.expressandstar.com/sport/football/aston-villa/2011/03/28/darren-bent-wants-an-england-run/ |newspaper=Express & Star |location=Wolverhampton |date=28 March 2011 |access-date=24 June 2017}} Bent recovered from injury in time but was left out of the final 23-man squad for Euro 2012 as then-England manager Roy Hodgson felt Bent would not be fit enough to appear at the tournament.{{Cite news |title=Aston Villa: No Euro 2012 place for Darren Bent |url=http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/aston-villa-no-euro-2012-185251 |newspaper=Birmingham Mail |date=16 May 2012 |access-date=10 November 2015}}
Personal life
Bent was born in Tooting, Greater London,{{Hugman|1424|access-date=18 April 2020}} to a family of Jamaican descent,{{Cite news |first=Stuart |last=Roach |title=Bent targets revival at Wigan |url=http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/7009676.stm |website=BBC Sport |date=24 September 2007 |access-date=11 July 2011}} and grew up in Thornton Heath.{{cite web |title=Football Firsts: Darren Bent on Arsenal fandom, Ian Wright & Chelsea disputes |url=https://www.planetfootball.com/quick-reads/football-firsts-darren-bent-on-arsenal-fandom-ian-wright-chelsea-disputes/ |website=PlanetFootball.com |date=11 September 2020 |accessdate=20 September 2022 }} His father, Mervyn Bent, was a player in the youth systems of Wimbledon and Brentford.{{cite news |first=Ralph |last=Ellis |title=Premier League Transfers: Is Bent a top striker or just a Twit? |url=http://betting.betfair.com/football/premiership/premier-league-transfers-is-bent-a-top-striker-or-just-a-t-310709.html |publisher=Betfair |date=31 July 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110725134253/http://betting.betfair.com/football/premiership/premier-league-transfers-is-bent-a-top-striker-or-just-a-t-310709.html |archive-date=25 July 2011 |url-status=dead}} At the age of 10, he moved to Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire, where he attended Hinchingbrooke School and played in the Godmanchester Rovers youth system. While at school, Bent competed in the long jump for England Schools.{{cite news |first=Stuart |last=James |title=Darren Bent: 'I remember Beckham coming up to me. I was shaking' |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2011/jun/02/darren-bent-england-aston-villa |work=The Guardian |publisher=Guardian News & Media |date=2 June 2011 |accessdate=20 September 2022 }} His uncle Junior Bent and cousin Cory Bent were also professional footballers.{{cite web |author1=Joshua Rendle |title=Familial Ties Inspire Bent Further In The Game |url=http://www.highlandersfc.ca/news/familial-ties-inspire-bent-further-in-the-game |publisher=Victoria Highlanders |accessdate=16 August 2020 |date=21 June 2018}}
Bent is a supporter of Arsenal and used to have a season ticket at Highbury.{{Cite news |first=Alan |last=Smith |title=Hell-Bent on securing a trip to World Cup |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/columnists/alansmith/2370197/Hell-Bent-on-securing-a-trip-to-World-Cup.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/columnists/alansmith/2370197/Hell-Bent-on-securing-a-trip-to-World-Cup.html |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |location=London |date=23 December 2005 |access-date=18 May 2011}}{{cbignore}}
He was handed a formal caution by police in June 2004 after he was alleged to have shot a 12-year-old with a pellet gun.{{cite news |title=Ipswich star cautioned by police |url=http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/suffolk/3801945.stm |website=BBC News |date=12 June 2004 |access-date=18 May 2011}}
In 2019, Bent appeared on BBC's Celebrity Mastermind and scored a total of three points over two rounds; something he describes as "the worst experience of my life."{{cite news |title=NIGHTMARE Darren Bent says Celebrity Mastermind was 'the worst moment of my life' after he scored just THREE points on hit quiz show |url=https://talksport.com/football/683969/darren-bent-celebrity-mastermind-tottenham-charlton-sunderland/ |website=Talksport.com |date=18 March 2020 |access-date=20 June 2021 }}
Bent refrains from drinking alcohol{{cite news |title=MH interview: Darren Bent |url=http://www.menshealth.co.uk/living/men/mh-interview-darren-bent-544571 |magazine=Men's Health |date=24 June 2010 |access-date=20 December 2016 |archive-date=21 April 2013 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130421001615/http://www.menshealth.co.uk/living/men/mh-interview-darren-bent-544571 |url-status=dead }} and is a Christian.{{cite news |first=Hefin Rhys |last=Jones |title=Bent on Overcoming Heartache By Faith |url=https://www.eden.co.uk/blog/sport/bent-on-overcoming-heartache-by-faith-p11294 |website=Christian.co.uk |date=1 November 2012 |access-date=20 February 2015}}
Career statistics
=Club=
| class=wikitable style=text-align:center
|+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition | ||||||||||||
| rowspan=2|Club
!rowspan=2|Season !colspan=3|League !colspan=2|FA Cup !colspan=2|League Cup !colspan=2|Europe !colspan=2|Other !colspan=2|Total | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals |
| rowspan=5|Ipswich Town
|2001–02{{soccerbase season|28055|2001|access-date=17 September 2012}} |5 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1{{efn|name=UC|Appearance(s) in UEFA Cup}} | 0 | colspan=2|— | 7 | 2 | ||
| 2002–03{{soccerbase season|28055|2002|access-date=17 September 2012}}
|35 | 12 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 3{{efn|name=UC}} | 1 | colspan=2|— | 43 | 18 | ||
| 2003–04{{soccerbase season|28055|2003|access-date=17 September 2012}}
|First Division |37 | 15 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | colspan=2|— | 2{{efn|Appearances in First Division play-offs}} | 1 | 41 | 16 | ||
| 2004–05{{soccerbase season|28055|2004|access-date=17 September 2012}} {{cite news |title=Ipswich 2–1 Wolves |url=http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_1/3585982.stm |website=BBC Sport |date=30 August 2004 |access-date=17 September 2012}} |45 | 20 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | colspan=2|— | 2{{efn|name=CPO|Appearances in Championship play-offs}} | 0 | 50 | 20 | ||
| colspan=2|Total
!122||48||4||3||7||3||4||1||4||1||141||56 | ||||||||||||
| rowspan=3|Charlton Athletic
|2005–06{{soccerbase season|28055|2005|access-date=17 September 2012}} |Premier League |36 | 18 | 5 | 2 | 3 | 2 | colspan=2|— | colspan=2|— | 44 | 22 | |||
| 2006–07{{soccerbase season|28055|2006|access-date=17 September 2012}}
|Premier League |32 | 13 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 2 | colspan=2|— | colspan=2|— | 35 | 15 | |||
| colspan=2|Total
!68||31||5||2||6||4||colspan=2|—||colspan=2|—||79||37 | ||||||||||||
| rowspan=3|Tottenham Hotspur
|2007–08{{soccerbase season|28055|2007|access-date=17 September 2012}} |Premier League |27 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 8{{efn|name=UC}} | 2 | colspan=2|— | 36 | 8 | ||
| 2008–09{{soccerbase season|28055|2008|access-date=17 September 2012}}
|Premier League |33 | 12 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 6{{efn|name=UC}} | 4 | colspan=2|— | 43 | 17 | ||
| colspan=2|Total
!60||18||1||0||4||1||14||6||colspan=2|—||79||25 | ||||||||||||
| rowspan=3|Sunderland
|2009–10{{soccerbase season|28055|2009|access-date=17 September 2012}} |Premier League |38 | 24 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | colspan=2|— | colspan=2|— | 40 | 25 | |||
| 2010–11
|Premier League |20 | 8 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | colspan=2|— | colspan=2|— | 23 | 11 | |||
| colspan=2|Total
!58||32||3||2||2||2||colspan=2|—||colspan=2|—||63||36 | ||||||||||||
| rowspan=5|Aston Villa
|2010–11{{soccerbase season|28055|2010|access-date=29 November 2016}} |Premier League |16 | 9 | colspan=2|— | colspan=2|— | colspan=2|— | colspan=2|— | 16 | 9 | |||||
| 2011–12{{soccerbase season|28055|2011|access-date=16 August 2012}}
|Premier League |22 | 9 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | colspan=2|— | colspan=2|— | 25 | 10 | |||
| 2012–13{{soccerbase season|28055|2012|access-date=27 December 2015}}
|Premier League |16 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 5 | 1 | colspan=2|— | colspan=2|— | 23 | 6 | |||
| 2014–15{{soccerbase season|28055|2014|access-date=8 June 2015}}
|Premier League |7 | 0 | colspan=2|— | 1 | 0 | colspan=2|— | colspan=2|— | 8 | 0 | ||||
| colspan=2|Total
!61||21||4||3||7||1||colspan=2|—||colspan=2|—||72||25 | ||||||||||||
| Fulham (loan)
|2013–14{{soccerbase season|28055|2013|access-date=27 December 2015}} |Premier League |24 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 1 | colspan=2|— | colspan=2|— | 30 | 6 | |||
| Brighton & Hove Albion (loan)
|Championship |5 | 2 | colspan=2|— | colspan=2|— | colspan=2|— | colspan=2|— | 5 | 2 | |||||
| Derby County (loan)
|Championship |15 | 10 | 2 | 2 | colspan=2|— | colspan=2|— | colspan=2|— | 17 | 12 | ||||
| rowspan=4|Derby County
|2015–16{{soccerbase season|28055|2015|access-date=30 May 2016}} |Championship |21 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | colspan=2|— | 2{{efn|name=CPO}} | 0 | 25 | 3 | ||
| 2016–17{{soccerbase season|28055|2016|access-date=7 December 2017}}
|Championship |37 | 10 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 1 | colspan=2|— | colspan=2|— | 42 | 13 | |||
| 2017–18
|Championship |0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan=2|— | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| colspan=2|Total
!73||22||5||5||4||1||colspan=2|—||2||0||84||28 | ||||||||||||
| Burton Albion (loan)
|2017–18{{soccerbase season|28055|2017|access-date=24 July 2018}} |Championship |15 | 2 | colspan=2|— | colspan=2|— | colspan=2|— | colspan=2|— | 15 | 2 | |||||
| colspan=3|Career total
!486||179||25||17||33||13||18||7||6||1||568||217 |
{{notelist}}
=International=
:Source:{{NFT player |id=12058 |name=Bent, Darren |access-date=26 July 2019}}
| class=wikitable style=text-align:center
|+ Appearances and goals by national team and year | |||
| National team | Year | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| rowspan=6|England
|2006 | 2 | 0 | |
| 2007 | 1 | 0 | |
| 2008 | 1 | 0 | |
| 2009 | 1 | 0 | |
| 2010 | 2 | 1 | |
| 2011 | 6 | 3 | |
| colspan=2|Total||13||4 |
:England score listed first, score column indicates score after each Bent goal.
Honours
Tottenham Hotspur
- Football League Cup: 2007–08; runner-up: 2008–09{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/league_cup/7905889.stm |title=Man Utd 0–0 Tottenham (aet) |first=Phil |last=McNulty |website=BBC Sport |date=1 March 2009 |access-date=31 January 2021}}
England U15
- Victory Shield: 1999
England U16
- Nordic Cup runner-up: 2000
Individual
- Ipswich Town Young Player of the Year: 2002–03
- Premier League Player of the Month: August 2005{{cite web |title=Darren Bent: Overview |url=https://www.premierleague.com/players/2098/Darren-Bent/overview |publisher=Premier League |access-date=7 December 2017}}
- Charlton Athletic Player of the Year: 2005–06
- Sunderland Player of the Year: 2009–10
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
{{Commons category}}
- {{UEFA player}}
{{Navboxes
| title = Awards
| bg = gold
| fg = navy
| list1 =
{{Charlton Athletic F.C. Player of the Year}}
{{Sunderland A.F.C. Player of the Year}}
}}
{{TalkSport}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Bent, Darren}}
Category:Footballers from the London Borough of Wandsworth
Category:English men's footballers
Category:England men's youth international footballers
Category:England men's under-21 international footballers
Category:England men's international footballers
Category:Men's association football forwards
Category:Godmanchester Rovers F.C. players
Category:Ipswich Town F.C. players
Category:Charlton Athletic F.C. players
Category:Tottenham Hotspur F.C. players
Category:Sunderland A.F.C. players
Category:Aston Villa F.C. players
Category:Brighton & Hove Albion F.C. players
Category:Derby County F.C. players
Category:Burton Albion F.C. players
Category:Premier League players
Category:English Football League players
Category:Black British sportsmen
Category:21st-century Black British people
Category:English people of Jamaican descent
Category:Sportspeople of Jamaican descent