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Transfer news: Aston Villa striker Darren Bent joins Brighton on month's loan

Image: Darren Bent: Out of favour at Aston Villa under Paul Lambert

Brighton have signed Aston Villa's Darren Bent on loan.

The former England striker drops down to the Championshp on an initial one-month deal after making just one start for Villa this season.

That came in the Capital One Cup, and all seven of his Premier League appearances have come as a substitute.

Bent was Villa's record signing when he joined from Sunderland in an £18m deal in January 2011, but he has started just eight league games in more than two years under Paul Lambert and spent the whole of last season on loan at Fulham.

The 30-year-old joins a Brighton side 20th in the Championship following a run of one win in 14 matches.

Albion manager Sami Hyypia said: "We are delighted to welcome Darren to the club, and I hope he will score plenty of goals for us during his time with us. 
  
"His record speaks for itself. He is a top-class striker with a more than 100 Premier League goals with Charlton, Spurs, Sunderland and Aston Villa. Three years ago he was a regular in the England squad under Fabio Capello; there is no doubting his ability to score goals. 

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"He also wants to play regular games and that is evident in his willingness to step down from the Premier League to the Championship."

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