England's national team and forward Darren Bent has signed a new 4-year contract with the club and denied all rumors about his possible departure.
“Although I was flattered to be linked with my country's biggest clubs, I owe 'Charlton' for the opportunity they gave me in the Premier League,” the striker said on the club's website. “I have a good feeling about the upcoming season. If I could replicate what I achieved last season, I would be very pleased.”
This summer, the team was reinforced by the famous Dutchman Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, and the new team's coach became Iain Dowie, who replaced the long-time club strategist Alan Curbishley.
“Playing alongside Jimmy is something I'm really looking forward to, but I will just try to score as many goals as last season, maybe even more,” D. Bent said. “Every member of the club is optimistic and happy for this season, and if things go well, I can become part of another successful season.”
D. Bent narrowly missed out on England's national team, which played in this year's World Cup, so the club's coach I. Dowie was very pleased that the player tied his future to the club.
“This is fantastic news for the club, and I think we need to congratulate the club's owner for managing to extend Darren's contract for another four years,” the coach rejoiced. “I want to build a young and exciting 'Charlton' team around personalities like Darren, who has a great desire to play for the club, learn, improve, and achieve even better results with the team.”
Last season, D. Bent was the top scorer in his team and managed to beat opponents' goalkeepers 18 times. In the list of the most productive players in the English Premier League, he ranked 3rd, behind players like Ruud van Nistelrooy (21 goals) and Thierry Henry (27 goals).