 Bent progressed through Ipswich Town 's youth system , having joined the club at the age of 14 in 1998 , after considering a possible career in athletics . He signed a professional contract with Ipswich on 2 July 2001 . He made his first team debut on 1 November 2001 in a 3 – 1 victory against Helsingborgs IF in the UEFA Cup , and scored his first senior goal in a 4 – 1 League Cup defeat to Newcastle United on 27 November 2001 . 
