Darren Bent has claimed that he has no problem with dropping down to the Championship after signing a short-term loan deal with Brighton & Hove Albion.

After falling further down the pecking order at Aston Villa, Bent insists that he jumped at the chance to make the move, and has hit out at suggestions that money has been behind some decisions during his career.

"Anyone who knows me and has known me for a long time knows that all I care about is football," the 30-year-old told members of the media. "It has never been about money or anything like that.

"It has always been about playing football. I'm always at my happiest when I'm playing football. I wasn't getting a lot of game time at Aston Villa and it doesn't bother me that I've had to drop down a division to play football.

"I've seen Brighton play and they play like a Premier League team. They play good football. And that is why I wanted to come here and join them."

Bent could make his debut for Brighton against Fulham on Saturday.