Van der Vaart wants Real stay

Dutchman plays down rumours he is about to rejoin Hamburg

By Thomas Zocher   Last updated: 16th November 2009   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Van der Vaart wants Real stay

Van der Vaart: Not re-joining Hamburg

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Rafael van der Vaart has quashed rumours he is set to quit Real Madrid for Hamburg by expressing a desire to stay and fight for his place at the Bernabeu.

The Dutchman joined Real from Hamburg in summer 2008 but struggled to make an impact in his first season in Spain.

The 26-year-old was pushed further down the pecking order after the multi-million pound arrivals of Kaka and Xabi Alonso in the summer, prompting many to believe that Van der Vaart would follow fellow Dutchmen Wesley Sneijder, Arjen Robben and Klaas Jan Huntelaar out of the club.

However the former Ajax youngster stayed put and insists any move back to Hamburg is off the agenda for now despite making just two starts in all competitions this season.

"I am going to stay, I will not have a transfer," he told Bild.

"It was not like it should have been in the past but now I am getting to games and believe I will be having a great time at Real Madrid.

"This is nothing against Hamburg, the Hamburg fans or the club. They are still very much part of my heart.

"This is a decision in favour of Madrid and not against Hamburg."