Van der Vaart joins Tottenham from Madrid
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
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Tottenham Hotspur FC have completed the signing of Netherlands midfielder Rafael van der Vaart from Real Madrid CF as they prepare to make their group-stage debut.
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Rafael van der Vaart has completed his move to Tottenham Hotspur FC from Real Madrid CF.
The London club moved for the Netherlands playmaker just before the transfer deadline on Tuesday and the Premier League have now ratified the €11m move, with the 27-year-old revealing he has penned a four-year deal.
"Four years at Spurs, for €11m, I can hardly believe it myself," he said. "The interest from Tottenham came very quickly 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."
AFC Ajax product Van der Vaart joined Madrid from Hamburger SV in 2008 and has also been capped 83 times by the Netherlands, helping them to this year's FIFA World Cup final. He is joined at Tottenham by goalkeeper Stipe Pletikosa, loaned on Tuesday by FC Spartak Moskva, as his new club prepare to begin their first UEFA Champions League campaign against holders FC Internazionale Milano, SV Werden Bremen and FC Twente.
