England striker Bent joins Villa from Sunderland

Aston Villa has signed Darren Bent from Premier League rival Sunderland for what it says is a club-record transfer fee.

Villa didn't disclose financial details Tuesday but announced that the England striker has signed a contract through to June 2015.

British media is reporting that Bent's fee would be at least 18 million pound ($29 million).

Bent is leaving a club in a Europa League qualification spot for one which is only out of the relegation zone on goal difference. He says that ''the size of the football club and the history of the club are major reasons for me coming here.''

Bent, who joined Sunderland for 10 million pounds from Tottenham in 2009, scored 36 goals for the northeast club.