Derby capture Darren Bent and Alex Pearce on free transfers
Derby have signed Darren Bent and Alex Pearce on Bosman on free transfers.Striker Bent, who spent the second half of last season on loan at the Championship club, was released by Aston Villa after his contract expired on Monday, while Pearce was released by Reading.
Bent, 31, had a troubled time at Villa, making just eight appearances over the last two years, having spent time on loan at Fulham last season and Brighton at the end of 2014.
But he scored 12 goals in 17 appearances as the Rams just missed out the play-offs under Steve McClaren, and they have opted to sign him permanently despite sacking their manager and replacing him with Paul Clement.
Bent began his career Ipswich before establishing himself as a consistent goalscorer at Charlton was followed by big money moves to Tottenham, Sunderland and then Villa for £18million in January 2011.
Pearce meanwhile, a 26-year-old central defender, is a Republic of Ireland interntional who has been at Reading since 2006 and played in the Premier League for the club, making over 200 appearances before his contract was allowed to expire.
He previously spent time on loan at Northampton, Norwich, Bournemouth and Southampton early in his career before establishing himself as the Royals' first-choice defender, making 49 appearances last season.
http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11095/9878795/derby-capture-darren-bent-and-alex-pearce-on-free-transfers
