Often mocked, ridiculed for our transfer deadline day dealings (or complete lack of them!), every Spurs fan knows back in 2010 the club got it right and stuck gold, when it clinched the signing of Rafael van der Vaart from Real Madrid for just £8,000,000.
Just 2 hours before the end of transfer deadline day in 2010, Spurs launched an £8,000,000 bid for Real Madrid’s skillful midfielder/playmaker, Rafael van der Vaart. Suggestions were a move to Bayern Munich had fallen through the day previous and Spurs made their move.
Leaving it late, as is Spurs (Levy’s) doing, risked not completing what would easily have been the summers Premier League’s best transfer before the clock ran out. Computer server problems then occurred and Spurs had to request an extension from premier League to get the deal over the line. Thankfully, the Premier League confirmed on 1 September that the transfer had been permitted after they gave Tottenham special dispensation due to “technical problems”.
Rafael signed a 4 year contract and whilst, sadly, he didn’t stay for the whole 4 years, in the short 2 seasons he was with the club he became a firm fans favourite not only for his skill and flair, but for his passion for the club.
In the first season, he helped the club to memorable wins over the Milan giants, Inter and AC as the club embarked on it’s debut Champions League season where they progressed to the quarter finals,
having topped the group containing the reigning champions.
Playing a major part in the 3-2 comeback win over Arsenal at the Emirates, he finished that first season as the club’s top goalscorer with 15 goals across the league, cup and Champions League. 13 more goals would follow the next season – but sadly, as the club brought in a number new midfielders in towards the end of the transfer window in 2012, Rafael fearing reduced game time moved to Hamburg – he later stated his decision to leave the club was one that he regretted and wished he had stayed.
His time was short with the club, but the 29 goals he scored from 75 appearances will always be remembered and cherished by the fans.
