Friday 16 August 2013

Bent confirmed as a Cottager

Darren Bent, the England international whose goals kept Villa in The Premier League under Gerard Houllier, is off to Fulham as Martin Jol strengthens his pack before the kick off.

The deal sees Bent head south on a season long loan, with the London club covering the player's salary and paying a substantial loan fee. The Cottagers are also thought to be in the box seat for any permanent deal.

Under Premier League loan rules, Bent will be ineligible to play against the Villa.

Crystal Palace were thought to have done a deal to take the striker but it seems a last minute change of heart from the goal machine means that Jol has got his man, much to the chagrin of Ian Holloway.

"Fulham could wait a lot longer than we could so we've tried to force it, they've stepped in, took our deal," said Holloway

Fulham Manager Martin Jol said: “Darren Bent is a striker I have always admired. He has shown in the Barclays Premier League that he is composed and clinical in front of goal but, even if he is not scoring, he is involved in some good link-up play, creating opportunities for his teammates. I’m delighted that he has joined us, he gives us pace up front and I am confident that he will add to our goals scored tally this season.”
 Despite his initial success at Villa, injuries and lack of service during the McLeish era restricted his effectiveness, while the arrival of Benteke and the work ethic that Lambert prefers meant that his Villa days were numbered, with the Villa boss even preferring to use rookie striker Jordan Bowery on the bench than the free scoring Bent.

The last nail in his Villa coffin came when Lambert purchased Danish giant Nicklas Helenius and handed him Darren's coveted Number 9 squad number.

Bent scored his final Villa goal in last season's end of term party at Wigan. The move south will rekindle his chances of getting the game time required to force his way into Roy Hodgson's thinking.

So Darren, good luck for the future and thanks for the goals and the good times.

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