Former Tottenham, Aston Villa striker Bent hangs up boots

Former England striker Darren Bent has announced his retirement from football at the age of 35.

Bent, who has not had a club since his release by Derby at the end of the 2017/18 campaign, revealed his decision to hang up his boots during an interview on talkSPORT on Thursday afternoon.

He represented England 13 times, netting four goals, and scored 106 Premier League goals in 276 appearances.

Bent started his career at Ipswich and also had permanent spells at Charlton, Tottenham, Sunderland, Aston Villa – who paid a club-record £18million to sign him – and Derby during a 17-year playing career.

Bent was part of one of the most memorable moments in Premier League history in 2009.

When playing for Sunderland at the Stadium of Light, his shot hit a beach ball in the penalty area and diverted past Liverpool goalkeeper Pepe Reina and into the net.