During his 2 year spell at the Valley Darren scored 37 goals in 77 games – a strike rate of around a goal every 2 games which is not to be sniffed at in the heat of the English Premier League. At England U21 level under Peter Taylor he scored 9 in 14 games following on from his 8 goals in 12 games at U19 level – again a sign of his goalscoring ability.

Darren will certainly add another dimension to the Spurs strike force and has qualities that Martin Jol highlighted when he said  

“Darren’s strength is his stamina. Normally players will make runs three or four times in 45 minutes, he will do it all the time and if you manage to play balls behind the defence, he will be there.”

Much is being made in the media, and by supporters of other clubs, of the fee of £16.5 million being a club record fee but lets look at the Stock Exchange announcement made this morning.

Tottenham Hotspur plc is pleased to announce that agreement has been reached with Charlton Athletic Football Club and the England player Darren Bent, age 23 years, for the transfer of his registration to Tottenham Hotspur FC for a total consideration of £16.5 million (inclusive of performance related payments) payable in instalments over the next three years. The player's contract is for a period of up to six years.

The key part of that statement being the (inclusive of performance related payments) bit and the fact the fee is in instalments. If Darrens goals help us get into the Champions League that will be the instalments taken care of and will make the deal money well spent. And just how much of that price is the performance related payments part. Until we see the accounts when Spurs publish them that remains speculation.

One thing that we do know is that Darren turned down a big money move to West Ham which would have seen him on far higher wages and that says something about his desire to play for a club that he sees as going places. He is putting success ahead of personal financial gain and that is to be applauded.

Welcome to Tottenham Darren

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