Finidi George
A journeyman striker who played for 14 clubs, scored 113 goals in 573 games, and totalled over £10 million in transfer fees.
Marcus Nathan Bent (born 19 May 1978) is an English retired professional footballer. A former England under-21 international, the journeyman striker played 573 games and scored 113 goals for 14 different clubs. His numerous transfer fees totalled over £10 million. He began his career at Brentford in 1995 before he signed with Crystal Palace in 1998, where he made his Premier League debut. The next year, he joined Sheffield United via Port Vale. In 2000, he transferred to Blackburn Rovers, before he moved on to Ipswich Town in 2001. He spent 2003–04 on loan at Leicester City before he transferred to Everton in 2004.
- Nationality
- English
- Position
- Striker
- Club Era
- 2004–2006
- Previous Club
- Ipswich Town
- Key Attribute
- Athleticism, pace, aerial ability
- Status
- Retired
Verified Timeline
Lore & Background
Bent's career was a whirlwind of moves, with 14 different clubs and numerous loans. He scored a hat-trick for Sheffield United against West Bromwich Albion in a 6–0 thrashing at Bramall Lane on 19 February 2000. At Blackburn Rovers, he scored his first goal against Burnley in a 2–0 win at Turf Moor on 17 December 2000, helping the club win promotion back to the Premier League. At Ipswich Town, he scored nine times in 22 league starts in 2001–02, but the Blues were relegated. He later scored a hat-trick for Wigan Athletic against former club Blackburn Rovers in a 5–3 win on 15 December 2007, the first time in the Premier League that two opposing players scored hat-tricks in the same match.
In Their Own Story
The rain slicked the Goodison turf as the clock ticked past eighty minutes. Marcus Bent received the ball near the halfway line, eyes fixed on the gap between the full-back and center-half. With a sudden burst of acceleration, he left the defender grasping at air. The crowd roared as he cut inside, shielding the ball with his body before unleashing a curling drive that kissed the underside of the crossbar and trickled over the line. In that moment, the North Stand erupted, celebrating not just a goal, but the sheer artistry of their journeyman hero.
Reader's Guide
Marcus Bent joined Everton in June 2004 from Ipswich Town for a fee of £450,000. Manager David Moyes said 'he's got athleticism, he's quick, good in the air'. He became a regular starter at Goodison Park in the lone centre-forward role (supported by Tim Cahill). He only managed seven goals in 2004–05, which were key in securing draws away to Southampton and at home to Aston Villa, as well as decisive goals against Middlesbrough and Manchester City. Despite having helped the club to secure a place in the Champions League, Bent became a more peripheral figure in 2005–06, having lost his first-team place to James Beattie. In January 2006, it was announced that Bent had signed for Charlton Athletic in a deal worth £2.3 million.
Did You Know?
- Marcus Bent scored a hat-trick for Sheffield United against West Bromwich Albion in a 6–0 thrashing at Bramall Lane on 19 February 2000.
- He scored a hat-trick for Wigan Athletic against former club Blackburn Rovers in a 5–3 win on 15 December 2007, the first time in the Premier League that two opposing players scored hat-tricks in the same match.
- Bent's transfer fees totalled over £10 million across his career.
- He played for 14 different clubs, including loans at Leicester City, Wigan Athletic, Middlesbrough, Queens Park Rangers, Wolverhampton Wanderers, and Sheffield United.
- After five years out of the game, he had brief spells in non-League football with Wick and Cornard United.
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