Former Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Rafael Van der Vaart will remain a Hamburg player this season, his club’s chairman has insisted.
The Dutch international became a firm fan favourite during his time at White Hart Lane and had been linked with a return to the Premier League under former Spurs boss Harry Redknapp.
Hamburg narrowly avoided relegation from the Bundesliga last season and Hamburg chairman Dietmar Beiersdorfer has said he is “counting” on the former Real Madrid midfielder. He was made their club captain last week.
Van der Vaart played 63 games in Tottenham colours, scoring 24 goals.
“I’m glad we have him,” Beiersdorfer told the Bild newspaper.
“Rafa is an exceptional player. I’m counting on Rafa. He’s making a good impression.”
“He’s worked a lot on himself and he’s now 100 per cent fit in his body and his mind,” he added.
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“In this shape, he’s irreplaceable. It would be very hard for us to do without him.”
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