Done deal. Four and a half year deal.

Darren Bent has officially completed his move from Sunderland in what will be a record transfer deal for Villa (£18m rising to £24m the most popular claim) and will be eligible for Man City on Saturday. I think he’ll probably play, don’t you?

Bent brings undoubted quality exactly where we need it the most. The fee is huge and can be read as a sign of intent or desperation depending entirely on your own outlook. For me, coupled with the canny acquisitions of Kyle Walker and Jean Makoun, it’s absolutely a sign of intent.

As far as the transfer fee goes, it’s almost entirely funded by the Milner deal and if a home can be found for Stephen Ireland at a reasonable fee, bringing Bent to Villa Park could practically be considered cost neutral.

Me? I’m absolutely thrilled. Not just for what I think he’ll mean for this season, but for many seasons to come. He could easily become, hopefully in combination with Gabby, that potent striker we’ve missed since Dwight Yorke left. No pressure though, Darren.

Full statement from the Official Site:

Aston Villa are delighted to confirm that Darren Bent will be unveiled today as the club’s record signing, having agreed a four-and-a-half year deal to June 2015.

The 26-year-old England striker completed a medical before the formalities of the signing today and will be available for the Barclays Premier League game against Manchester City on Saturday, January 22 at Villa Park.

“Aston Villa is a massive football club and as soon as I knew they were interested in signing me I wanted to join,” Bent said.

“The size of the football club and the history of the club are major reasons for me coming here.

“There are some top, top players here too, real quality, and I’ve been able to speak to the manager and the chairman about their ambitions for the club, so I’m very excited about being a part of what we hope to achieve.”

Darren will be unveiled at 7pm at Villa Park.

Welcome to Aston Villa Mr Bent, we’re all looking forward to seeing you in the claret and blue shirt. I think it will suit you!

Bent will wear #39… at least for the rest of this season. There is a new Darren Bent wallpaper available here.

UTV