Sunderland Football Club News

• Nickname:Black Cats
• Founded:1879
• Manager:Martin O'Neill

• Ground:Stadium of light
• Capacity:48,353

Relief for Bent after transfer

06 Aug 2009 - 08:17:19

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Darren Bent is relieved that his transfer from Tottenham Hotspur to Sunderland has finally been completed.

The former Charlton Athletic star moves to the Stadium of Light for an initial £10million, although the figure could eventually rise to £16.5million over the four years of the contract.

The 25-year-old is Black Cats boss Steve Bruce's fourth signing since he replaced Ricky Sbragia as Sunderland boss following the arrivals of Fraizer Campbell, Lorik Cana and Paulo Da Silva.

But it has been a protracted affair and Bent got into trouble with Spurs last week after he launched a verbal outburst on a social networking site after fearing his proposed move to Wearside had fallen through.

The striker told Sky Sports News: "A lot goes on behind the scenes and Steve Bruce and Niall Quinn really tried to make this deal work on numerous occasions.

"I knew we were close once or twice and then it got knocked back again. It's disappointing but you've got to pick yourself up.

"They stuck with it and showed real belief in me and I'm just glad they've got me here finally.

"My time at Tottenham's over. I'm a Sunderland player now. What I want to do now is focus on the future at Sunderland football club. Hopefully I'll have a better experience here than I did there.

"The amount of messages I've received from Sunderland fans, wishing me to come up here was obviously key in me wanting to come here. Now I'm here I'm just delighted to be here and want to kick on."