His career in amateur football was short lived, however, as he proved his quality, signing for Eredivisie side FC Groningen in 1992.

He played very few games at Groningen and left after just one season to join SC Veendam where he was a relative success.

He returned to Groningen in 1999 where he scored 22 goals in his first season back at the club, helping them achieve promotion from the Eerste Divisie.

[1] After retiring as a player, Drent worked as commercial director at Veendam[2] and became assistant to manager Joop Gall at Emmen in 2013 next to his job as coach at amateurs Rolder Boys.

[4] Drent was appointed head coach of amateur side DZOH in December 2015, only two weeks after being dismissed by Rohda Raalte.