Tottenham Hotspur have been given permission by the Premier League to sign midfielder Rafael van der Vaart from Real Madrid for €11 million and the deal is now complete and finalised.
Spurs boss Harry Redknapp had been informed of the World Cup star’s availability just two hours before the end of the transfer deadline yesterday and all parties involved quickly met to discuss terms of a deal.
However, there was uncertainly over whether the White Hart Lane outfit had managed to submit the details of the deal to Premier League offices in time before the close of the window and Spurs told the governing body that they had difficulties with the computer servers used in the transaction with Real, thus causing the relevant paperwork to be submitted late.
“We are delighted to announce that we have reached agreement with Real Madrid for the transfer of Rafael Van der Vaart. The Holland international came through the ranks at Ajax and won two league titles during 141 appearances with the Eredivisie side, scoring 60 goals before leaving for Hamburg in the summer of 2005.” Spurs announced via a statement on the club’s official website.
“The attacking midfielder, 27, was the Bundesliga side’s leading scorer in his first season in Germany and went on to captain the side before joining Real Madrid ahead of the 2007/08 campaign. Rafael has been capped by Holland a total of 83 times, scoring 16 goals, since making his international debut against Andorra in 2001 at the age of 18.
“He has since represented the Netherlands at two European Championships and two World Cups, including this summer’s tournament in South Africa where he featured five times in the side’s run to the final.”
Earlier, Van der Vaart had told De Telegraaf of his delight at securing a move to a “beautiful club” and that he was looking forward to playing regular first team football again with Spurs.
“Four years at Spurs, for €11 million, I can hardly believe it myself,” Van der Vaart said. “It’s a pity I cannot now play against Ajax in the Champions League but I will get to face FC Twente.”
“The interest from Tottenham came very quick and I did not have much time to think. But I want to play football again and if possible every week, with a beautiful club. I ‘m totally happy.
“I am excited about playing in England. Whether it suits my style remains to be seen, but I think a good footballer can adapt and I am very proud of this transfer.”
Meanwhile, Real have insisted that there was no truth in the claims from Spurs boss Redknapp that Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich had made a £18 million offer for Van der Vaart.
“Real Madrid met all the deadlines regarding the transfer of Van der Vaart. It’s now up to the Premier League to accept the signing so that we can make it official.” Real sporting director Miguel Pardeza told the club’s official website.
“It is absolutely false that Real Madrid received a €21m (£18m) offer from Bayern Munich for Van der Vaart. In fact, the German team never showed an interest to sign the player, so the allegations made in England have greatly surprised us.”
Tags: English Premier League, La Liga, Rafael Van Der Vaart, Real Madrid, Tottenham Hotspur, transfer news
