Sunderland boss Steve Bruce has boosted his forward line with the signing of Spurs striker Darren Bent.

England international Bent, 25, has signed a four-year deal after the two clubs agreed a £10m fee.

Bent becomes the most expensive player at the Stadium of Light, eclipsing the £9m paid to bring goalkeeper Craig Gordon to the club from Hearts.

Capped four times by England at senior level, Bent becomes Sunderland's fourth signing of the summer, joining Fraizer Campbell, Lorik Cana and Paulo Da Silva.

He made his name at Ipswich, coming through the club's Academy to debut in October 2001.  A first senior goal arrived against Newcastle the same month.

A haul of 55 goals in 116 starts plus a further 25 appearances off the bench attracted the attention of Charlton, who tied up a deal for an initial £2.5m in June 2005.

Ironically, his Charlton debut came against Sunderland at the Stadium of Light and yielded two goals in a 3-1 win for the visitors.

He hit the net on 37 occasions from a total of 79 games for the Addicks during a two-year spell in South London before making a big-money move across the capital to Spurs.

The White Hart Lane outfit parted with £16.5m to acquire the player in June 2007, and he scored his first competitive goal against Derby County during August.

The striker - who passed 100 career goals in March 2008 - was Tottenham's top scorer last season but fell out of favour with boss Harry Redknapp following Spurs' move for Peter Crouch.

Bent leaves White Hart Lane having potted 25 goals in all competitions from 43 starts and a further 36 substitute appearances.

Keep logging on to safc.com for all the latest from manager Steve Bruce as he reflects on capturing a long-standing transfer target.

Meanwhile, SAFC TV will be screening an exclusive first video interview with new boy Bent.

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