Charlton have completed the signing of Marcus Bent from Everton for an initial £2m fee, which may rise to £2.5m.

The 27-year-old striker has signed a three-and-a-half year deal.

Bent said: “Charlton are a team I’ve always looked at with high regard. I can’t wait to get started and am really looking forward to it.

“They always produce strong teams down here and it’s nice to get a chance to play for Alan Curbishley.

“There were rumours in the summer and I think it’s been ongoing,” Bent told the Charlton website.

“Coming up to the transfer window I know Everton have been looking to bring another striker in. That didn’t mean I had to go but I felt it was better for me as I wasn’t playing.

“I was happy at the club but not playing means that I’m not happy in football terms.”

“I want to move on and I want to better myself and do as good as I can. That is playing at the highest level and being at the top end of the table. And I think at Charlton we can achieve that.”

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