Van der Vaart out to show his quality at Spurs

02 September 2010 17:30
Rafael van der Vaart maintains he was no "failure" at Real Madrid - but will not take a place in the Tottenham team for granted. Spurs were able to complete the £8million signing of the Holland international after the Premier League ratified the 11th-hour transfer deadline day move. The 27-year-old former Ajax and Hamburg midfielder appeared surplus to requirements at the Bernabeu, with Germany star Mesut Ozil having arrived in the summer. However, while the Dutch World Cup finalist maintains he has nothing to prove at White Hart Lane, Van der Vaart knows competition for places will be intense. "I have not been a failure at Real Madrid," said Van der Vaart on www.talksport.co.uk. "I have always given my best over the last few years for both club and country. Now I have arrived at Tottenham and I want to show my quality. "A number of clubs have been interested in me, but I always wanted to consider the best option at the last moment. When I saw that I would not be playing, I knew I had to leave. The Premier League is one of the best leagues in the world. I can only say if I have been worth the money at the end of the season."

Source: PA