Darren Bent has revealed he turned down the chance to play abroad to join Albion on loan.

The 30-year-old former England marksman has dropped back down into the Championship after almost a decade in the Premier League plundering goals for Charlton, Spurs, Sunderland, parent club Aston Villa and Fulham.

Bent, who made his last appearance in the Championship against Albion for Ipswich at Withdean in May 2005, told The Argus: "I see it as just about playing football. It shows how much I like playing football, to drop down.

"I could have gone abroad, I could have gone anywhere else, but I liked the sound of Brighton and the direction they are going in.

"I saw myself being comfortable here and that's why I came down here. It didn't bother me what division it is in, because at the end of the day I love playing football.

"There were a few options but Brighton just felt right and I'm glad to be here."