Aston Villa striker Darren Bent applauds loan deal for Robbie Keane: It's a top signing, a really clever move

The England international has backed the move which reunites him with former Tottenham team-mate and tips the LA Galaxy man to give his all to be successful during stay

12 Jan 2012 12:23:00

By James McManus

More On :  Aston Villa, Los Angeles Galaxy, Robbie Keane, Darren Bent

Darren Bent has praised Aston Villa's loan deal for LA Galaxy forward Robbie Keane.

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Bent has struggled up front on his own at times this season and has made it clear that the addition of Keane, until the end of February, will help lighten the load on him while adding quality to the rest of the team.

“It's a top signing, a really clever move. In training Robbie has looked razor-sharp and up for the challenge," Bent told Villa’s official website.

"He's a great player and he has been for many years.

"There is no doubt he will give absolutely everything during his time here.

"He knows the game inside out and, from what I have seen of him so far, he's bright as a button.

"He will help all the other strikers here but, more importantly, he will help Villa."

Keane, with over 400 league appearances and 53 international goals for the Republic of Ireland to his name, offers a wealth of experience at the highest level and could prove a useful outlet of advice for the squad’s younger members.

Bent added: "He will bring experience which will aid a few of the younger lads who are breaking through into the team and the other youngsters in and around the place. And he will bring goals too, hopefully.”

One notable problem with the club’s form this season has been their lack of cutting edge in front of goal, and a strength in depth up front, two factors which Bent hopes the signing of Keane can go some way to addressing.

"He also brings that competition to the striking department," Bent continued.

"Gabby [Agbonlahor]'s in great form, I'm coming back into form after my injury problems, Emile [Heskey] has an injury but there's Nathan [Delfuoneso] and Andy Weimann, too, so the competition will only be enhanced with Robbie's presence here.

"I think he will do really well for us. He's such a smart player."

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