It has been a major coup for the Ards to sign veteran front man Bent, who played in the Premier League during a distinguished career.

Now aged 41, Bent, who has had financial problems in recent years, made 73 appearances for Ipswich Town, between 2001 and 2004, scoring 23 goals and also played for the likes of Blackburn Rovers, Everton, Sheffield United and Crystal Palace, as well as playing for England under-21s at the start of his career.

Bent was declared bankrupt last year, having retired from professional football in 2012 after a spell in Indonesia with Mitra Kukar.

He was on the books of Southern Combination Leaguers Wick during the 2017/18 season, but never made an appearance for them.

Throughout his 17-year career as a professional footballer, Bent made 573 appearances and scored 113 goals.