
Darren was Gordon Strachan’s first signing as manager in November 1996 when he paid Newcastle £1 million for the relatively untried youngster. He made an immediate impression with his speed and trickery and scored his first goal in a 2-1 win over his former club that sparked a four-game winning streak. In 1997-98 he terrorised Premier League defences and his partnership with Dion Dublin was a major contributory factor in the club’s best season for years. His form, and 15 goals earned him an England B cap and there were rumours of a call-up for the Full squad. At Christmas that year he scored one of the most memorable goals ever seen at Highfield Road - the winner in a 3-2 victory over Manchester United. He scored a hat-trick at Leeds and the following season followed up with hat-tricks on successive Saturdays against Nottingham Forest and Macclesfield in the cup. The departure of his partner Dublin hit him hard and his form dipped. In August 1999 City cashed in and sold him to Leeds for £5 million. Despite scoring at Highfield Road in one of his early games, his stay at Leeds was not happy and he scored only two league goals in 40 games. A move to Manchester City rejuvenated his career and he scored 26 goals as City roared to the Division One title in 2002. In 2003 he joined Norwich and clocked up over 200 games for the Canaries.
Hat tricks (3)
1997-98
25 April 1998 v Leeds United A
1998-99
2 January 1999 v Macclesfield Town H
9 January 1999 v Nottingham Forest H












































































































































































































































England B, 1 cap
1997-98
10 February 1998 England B v Chile B, Hawthorns, 1-2
England U21, 4 caps
1996-97
12 February 1997 England U21 v Italy U21, Ashton Gate, UEFA U21 Championship 1998 qualifying, 1-0, substitute
1 April 1997 England U21 v Switzerland U21, Swindon, friendly, 0-0, replaced
29 April 1997 England U21 v Georgia U21, Charlton , UEFA U21 Championship 1998 qualifying, 0-0, substitute
30 May 1997 Poland U21 v England U21, Katowice, UEFA U21 Championship 1998 qualifying, 1-1, substitute