Van der Vaart makes Madrid move
Monday, August 4, 2008
Article summary
Real Madrid CF have increased their Dutch contingent by signing Rafael van der Vaart from Hamburger SV in a reported €13m transfer and on a five-year contract.
Article top media content
Article body
Dutch contingent
The 25-year-old has agreed a contract running until 2013 with the Spanish champions having spent three seasons at Hamburg since his departure from AFC Ajax. Capped 58 times, Van der Vaart will link up with international team-mates Ruud van Nistelrooy, Arjen Robben and Wesley Sneijder as well as with compatriot Royston Drenthe at Madrid.
'Dream come true'
"Real are one of the biggest clubs in the world and it's a dream come true to play for this team," Van der Vaart said. "I want to play lots of matches for Madrid and to become an important part of the side." His arrival is a boost for the Santiago Bernabéu club with Sneijder having been ruled out for three months with a knee injury, sidelining him for the start of the UEFA Champions League group stage. Hamburg will compete in the UEFA Cup first round.
