Derby County have secured the signing of Aston Villa striker Darren Bent on loan until the end of the season.
SIGNING: #DCFC have signed striker @DarrenBent on loan from @premierleague side @AVFCOfficial: http://t.co/IjVaYaf35F pic.twitter.com/jckBWO4Lsb
- Derby County (@dcfcofficial) January 2, 2015
Bent, 30, joined Villa from Sunderland for 18 million pounds in 2011, but struggled to secure a regular starting role at Villa Park and failed to score in eight appearances for the club this season.
Bent joined Brighton for a one-month loan spell in November, but will spend the rest of the campaign at Pride Park.
Derby coach Steve McClaren told the club's official website: "We are delighted to welcome Darren Bent to Derby County for the rest of the season.
"I've worked with him in the past [for England] and he brings significant Premier League and international experience with him.
"He adds to our already excellent attacking options. Darren has scored goals wherever he has been during his career and we believe he can contribute on the field for us.
"We're braced for an exciting second half of the season, which is always an important stage in any campaign, and we're got plenty of big matches coming up for everyone to look forward to -- and Darren certainly brings big game experience with him."
Bent could make his Rams debut in the top-of-the-table clash against Ipswich Town at Portman Road on Jan. 10.
The striker spent last season on loan at Fulham before returning to Villa this summer.