Rafael van der Vaart will be playing for UK club Tottenham Hotspur in the coming season.

The Premier League club has announced it reached agreement with the Dutch international at the last possible moment. Van der Vaart is leaving Real Madrid, where he was no longer assured of a place on the starting line-up.
The Tottenham manager, Harry Redknapp, told Sky Sports News “It was a last-minute job.” The Spurs are now waiting for confirmation from the Premier League that the transfer can go ahead. If it does, the UK club will have to pay about 10 million euros for Van der Vaart.

Royston Drenthe will join compatriot Piet Velthuizen at Hércules Alicante. The Dutch midfielder is leaving Real Madrid, which is renting him out for one year to the newcomer in the Primera Division. Real Madrid bought Royston Drenthe from Feyenoord three years ago. The Rotterdam player earned his transfer to Real Madrid with a strong performance during the European championships for players under 21, which was won by the Netherlands.

In the Spanish capital Drenthe failed to earn a steady spot on the starting line-up, but did play in a number of matches. Under new coach José Mourinho his situation has become untenable. Royston Drenthe was not selected for Real Madrid’s first competition match against Real Mallorca on Sunday. Real Madrid announced the transfer on its web site on Tuesday.

© Radio Netherlands Worldwide