Derby County sign Aston Villa striker on loan

Derby County have signed out-of-favour Aston Villa striker Darren Bent on loan until the end of the season.

The 30-year-old England international has just ended a loan spell at Championship rivals Brighton, where he scored two goals in four games.

Bent previously played under Rams boss Steve McClaren in the England side.

"He knows where I play, so it's a case of me just bedding in, trying to get involved and scoring as many goals as I can," Bent told BBC Radio Derby.

"I wanted to come here and be part of something that could be special."

Bent, who has 13 England caps, made eight appearances for Premier League side Villa this term, seven of which came as substitute.

He is set to make his Rams debut against former side Ipswich Town on 10 January.

"Darren has scored goals wherever he has been during his career and we believe he can contribute on the field for us," McClaren told the club website. "He adds to our already excellent attacking options."

The former Charlton, Tottenham man has scored 25 goals in 72 appearances for Villa since a £24m move from Sunderland in January 2011, but has not been a regular under Paul Lambert and spent last season on loan at Fulham.

Derby sit third in the table, one place below Ipswich and two points outside the automatic promotion places.

He's become a shallow part of his former self, he used to be underrated and then overrated but he's a quality striker. I think Derby will get the most out of him, now which Ram's strikers could we perhaps pinch?

No seriously, what do you think of this?

@super_ram

This is either an inspired signing or will fail miserably.Either way it's a loan.If he does well there's the chance  the Rams sign him on a 'free'.If he's a failure then bye bye!I wish him well and hope he gives us another option in  attack.If Martin gets injured we could struggle up front.

There were signs of the Bent of old in his time at Brighton. Derby have the players to supply him and I think he'll do very well there. Could be the difference between promotion and playoffs.

Hopefully for @super_ram he'll be an inspirational signing and will bang 'em in. Anything to upset the red side of the city :)!

Hopefully for @super_ram he'll be an inspirational signing and will bang 'em in. Anything to upset the red side of the city :)!

Ipswich next Saturday,then you know who.Hope he hits the ground running.

Whilst out today, I over heard three Forest fans talking mainly about Derby (which I want to add is very odd for a fanbase which rants about their disliking of their midlands rivals). Also, none mentioned the Forest score (I only just found out that they had lost). Yet they was talking about how Darren Bent is the 'perfect' answer to their problems, saying things like Pearce knows Bent better than McClaren.

They mentioned how Derby are a good side and play the 'brand' of football which 'Forest' should be playing.

Many comments about Will Hughes being a player them lot should sign (deluded), I gave up ear-wigging when they mentioned they had the ability to sign the whole squad if Pearce wanted the Derby players.

I was half tempted to ask them about the transfer embargo.

Whilst out today, I over heard three Forest fans talking mainly about Derby (which I want to add is very odd for a fanbase which rants about their disliking of their midlands rivals). Also, none mentioned the Forest score (I only just found out that they had lost). Yet they was talking about how Darren Bent is the 'perfect' answer to their problems, saying things like Pearce knows Bent better than McClaren.

They mentioned how Derby are a good side and play the 'brand' of football which 'Forest' should be playing.

Many comments about Will Hughes being a player them lot should sign (deluded), I gave up ear-wigging when they mentioned they had the ability to sign the whole squad if Pearce wanted the Derby players.

I was half tempted to ask them about the transfer embargo.

Rule number One of being a Notts fan. Never miss an opportunity to take the pish out of a redback.

@hissingdwarf I usually don't need an invitation to do that.

I'm quite notorious with Forest friends about taking the P out of them, mind the majority aim comments to us and it just goes through one ear and out of the other. I'm told I ear wig too much by cheeky, she's got a point.

Though these fans would make the majority of red fans who 'show off' seem quite intelligent. LOL

good signing for the rams i hope he fires you to promotion.

If he can get his form back no reason why this wont pay off.

Promising time for Derby fans.