Van Der Vaart wants a long stay

Rafael Van der Vaart has made a huge impression in his first season at Tottenham and the Dutchman is keen to extend his stay at White Hart Lane.

Spurs pulled off one of the transfer coups of last summer when wrapping up a deal for the forward from Real Madrid in the final minutes of the window.

The 27-year-old has taken to the Premier League in seamless fashion and is keen to forge a long career in London. His present deal has a further three-and-a-half years to run and he has his sights set on an extension.

"I love it here," Van der Vaart told The Sun. "I love the players and I love the down-to-earth attitude at the club. If I have the opportunity, I would stay here for the rest of my career."

Van Der Vaart out versus Chelsea

Rafael van der Vaart has been ruled out of Tottenham's clash with Chelsea on Sunday because of injury.

 

Van der Vaart has made a huge impact since making a summer move from Real Madrid, but fitness has been a problem.

He limped off early on in the 2-1 win over Liverpool on November 28 and has not featured since. He was said to be in contention for the midweek Champions League clash with Twente, but he remained on the sidelines and is still struggling with a hamstring injury.

Harry Redknapp had hoped to bring him back against Chelsea, but the midfielder has failed to respond to treatment and Spurs will go into the derby without one of their most potent creative forces.

Redknapp: Van der Vaart needs to get fitter

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Rafael Van der Vaart has been told to shape up.

Tottenham midfielder Rafael Van der Vaart may have scored in all six of his matches at White Hart Lane, but his manager Harry Redknapp believes that he has to get fitter.



Van der Vaart, 27, has become a firm favourite at his new club since joining Spurs from Real Madrid for £8 million on deadline day in the summer.

But Redknapp reckons the Netherlands midfielder showed signs of fatigue towards the end of Tuesday's 1-1 draw with Sunderland and still needs to fully adapt to playing in the Premier League.

Van der Vaart trains ahead of Inter test

Tottenham Hotspur injury-doubt Rafael Van der Vaart trained on Monday to hand manager Harry Redknapp a much needed boost ahead of their Champions League clash with Inter Milan.

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My personal favorite reason for Tottenham signing Van Der Vaart

This is his girlfriend.  Need I say any more?

Van Der Vaart officially signs with Tottenham

The Premier League have given Tottenham Hotspur permission to sign Rafael van der Vaart from Real Madrid for €11 million.

This is 3 million more than previously thought but is still a bargain for a premier midfielder that will immediatly contribute to the Spurs.  The Premier League had investigated Spurs' claim that they had difficulties with the computer servers used in the transaction between themselves and Real, which hindered their attempts to submit the relevant paperwork on time.


The Premier League said in a statement: "The Premier League can confirm the transfer of Rafael van der Vaart's registration from Real Madrid to Tottenham Hotspur.''

A statement on Spurs' website read: "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.

So, now that I have finally put behind me the debacle versus Wigan, I can look forward to seeing what this Dutch player can do to add to the squad.


Thanks to ESPN Soccernet staff for some of the info.

Photo Finish

At the last possible second, Tottenham put forth the paperwork to add Real Madrid midfielder Rafael van der Vaart to the squad.  It is still unknown whether the Spurs made the play in time and everyone is awaiting the EPL's ruling on the matter.  It is reported that the Premier League will take a decision on whether the deal was processed in time on Wednesday.


Van Der Vaart would be a huge acquisition for the Spurs and improve the midfield for a chase at the Premiership and the Champions League trophies.  On the attributes Van der Vaart would bring to Tottenham, Redknapp said: "He is a great passer of the ball, he is a top footballer. He will join in here and play the way we like to play, he would be a big plus for us.

So, Wednesday cannot come fast enough for me.  I hope to see the Dutch midfielder help lead Tottenham to a historic season.