Tottenham Hotspur have signed England striker Darren Bent from Charlton for a club record £16.5m.
Spurs had previously offered £12m for Bent, but Charlton wanted to get as close as possible to the £17m fee West Ham United were willing to pay until the player turned down a move to Upton Park. According to a statement on the Stock Exchange, the 23-year-old has agreed a contract of “up to six years”.
Bent cited Tottenham’s ambition as a major reason for his move. “Tottenham have a lot of young English players and it’s a young squad, it’s a squad going forward and that’s the direction I wanted to take. They seem to be getting better and better every season and I would love to be part of that.
“It helps a lot that I know a few of the lads from England internationals and I’m sure they will help me settle in. It’s exciting times for me and the club, hopefully I’ll show what I can do at Tottenham and we’ll go on to win things.”
Spurs manager Martin Jol said Bent’s pace and endurance would be a major boost for his club. “Darren’s strength is his stamina. Normally players will make runs three or four times in 45 minutes, he will do it all the time and if you manage to play balls behind the defence, he will be there. That’s what I like about him.
“He has pace, he links play well and can see a pass – he can exploit the space and play as well. He knows Spurs is the place to be and that’s something to be proud of.”
Despite Charlton’s relegation last season, Bent was in excellent form scoring 15 goals, and there has been speculation about his departure ever since his team’s relegation was confirmed. The Addicks may draw some small comfort from the fact that they have gained a sizeable profit on the £2.5m they paid for him in 2005.
Charlton chief executive Peter Varney said that financial realities meant Bent’s departure was inevitable. “I know fans will be disappointed but I think they are also realistic. The Premier League is the place to be if you want to play for your country. We will strengthen the squad with the money we’re getting. But, when the TV money halves, there are two ways of dealing with it. You gamble on trying to get back up at the first attempt or you introduce budgets that are realistic and the latter is what we’ve done.”
Spurs already boast an impressive attacking line-up and Bent will have to dislodge Dimitar Berbatov and Robbie Keane, the club’s first-choice strikers after impressive displays last season. Bent’s arrival will trouble Jermain Defoe, who, despite scoring 18 goals last season, will now be considered below Bent in the pecking order at White Hart Lane. Portsmouth have already made enquiries about Defoe’s availability, but he would prefer to stay and fight for his place in the team.
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