Former Tottenham Hotspur star Rafael van der Vaart says rejoining German side Hamburg feels like moving 'back home'.
Ex-Tottenham playmaker could make second Hamburg debut on Saturday
Former Tottenham Hotspur star Rafael van der Vaart says rejoining Hamburg feels like moving "back home".
The Dutch playmaker completed his return to northern Germany on Friday after agreeing a three-year deal.
Tottenham finally accepted a deal for the 29-year-old, who had been courted by the Bundesliga club all summer.
Van der Vaart spent three years with Hamburg between 2005 and 2008, before switching to Real Madrid and then Tottenham two years later
"It feels a bit like I am coming back home," he said. "Everybody knows that I still have a strong bond with Hamburg and it is a compliment when a club wants you every year.
"This season was the right time."
Race
The deal, which has been partly financed by a local investor, was completed in time for Van der Vaart to make his second Hamburg debut against Werder Bremen on Saturday.
"It was a very, very hectic night and I had to race to the airport on Friday morning to get to the medical," he said.
"If everything goes according to plan, then maybe I will travel (to Bremen ), but to be honest, I have only been here a few hours and we will just have to wait and see."
