Brighton confirm Darren Bent loan signing

Brighton and Hove Albion have boosted their attacking options by signing Darren Bent on loan from Aston Villa.

Bent, who will wear the number 39, has joined on an initial month's loan until the end of December having passed a medical earlier today before training with his new teammates ahead of Saturday's game with Fulham.

Sami Hyypia welcomed the signing. He 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.

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