Villa complete Bent swoop

The initial fee is reported to be £18m although add-ons could take it as high as £24m.

He has signed a four-and-a-half year contract at Villa Park after passing a medical and could make his debut in Saturday's Premier League clash at home to Manchester City.

Villa's previous record was the £12m signing of winger Stewart Downing from Middlesbrough.

"Aston Villa is a massive football club and as soon as I knew they were interested in signing me I wanted to join," Bent said. "The size of the football club and the history of the club are major reasons for me coming here.

"There are some top, top players here too, real quality, and I've been able to speak to the manager and the owner about their ambitions for the club. I'm very excited about being a part of what we hope to achieve."

Bent, 26, was the subject of a surprise bid from struggling Villa and the speed at which the deal has been completed is notable - he was only reported to have submitted a transfer request after an initial offer on Monday.

The former Ipswich, Charlton and Tottenham striker scored 24 Premier League goals last season and is the third-highest scorer in England over the past three years, behind only Chelsea's Didier Drogba and Manchester United's Wayne Rooney.

Bent has hit eight goals so far this season, forming the spearhead of a three-man attack including Asamoah Gyan and Danny Welbeck.

His England record is less impressive though, with a solitary goal against Switzerland in seven appearances since making his debut in 2006.

Sunderland lie sixth in the Premier League, with 34 points after 23 matches, while struggling Villa are fourth-bottom with only 22 points in as many games.