Hala Madrid!!

Its official! Rafael van der Vaart is now a madridista. In was what the first official signing at the Santiago Bernabéu this summer the 25-year-old agreed a five-year contract with the Primera Liga champions after undergoing a medical at the Sanitas La Moraleja Hospital in Madrid. The Dutchman was received by Ramón Calderón, Alfredo di Stéfano, Pedja Mijatovic, and several Board members. The financial details involved in the transfer have not been released, but reports in Spain suggest that Real have parted with around 13million euros (£10.3million). He now becomes the fifth Dutchman in our squad joining compatriots Ruud van Nistelrooy, Arjen Robben, Wesley Sneijder and Royston Drenthe. Rafael van der Vaart was officially unveiled as Real Madrid’s newest player in a presentation in the Presidential Balcony of the Santiago Bernabéu. More than 2,000 spectators were on hand to see him suit up and take the Bernabéu pitch for the first time in Real Madrid Whites.

The official statement on the club’s website read as follows:

Real Madrid C.F. and Hamburg SV have reached an agreement for the 5-season transfer of Dutch player Rafael Ferdinand van der Vaart to the former club. The agreement is subject to the player’s medical examination and his signing of a federation contract.

This was following speculations that Real Madrid and Hamburg reached an agreement in London following their clash in the Emirates Cup which the latter won and the former came second despite beating the winners.

Passes Medical

Real Madrid’s newest acquisition, Rafael van der Vaart was given the green light by the club’s medical services prior to making his way to the Santiago Bernabéu to sign his contract. Van der Vaart underwent several tests which only confirmed his excellent state of health. Dr. Díez, Chief of Real Madrid’s medical services commented that

“We carried out several exams and we didn’t find a single problem. He has not had any kind if injury over the last two or three years. He was in perfect health at Hamburg and he is ready and able to play for [Schuster],” commented. Keep in mind that most European leagues are in full swing. It is only the Spanish league that hasn’t quite begun.”

Rafael van der Vaart then left Sanitas La Moraleja Hospital with the thumbs up from the doctors.

Contract Signed

In was what the first official signing at the Santiago Bernabéu this summer, Rafael van der Vaart inked a five-year deal with Real Madrid. Rafael van de Vaart was accompanied by his wife and two-year old son Damián, who received a Real Madrid shirt from Ramón Calderón. Also present were his parents and maternal grandparents, native residents of Chiclana, Cadiz in southern Spain.

Standing alongside Ramón Calderón and Alfredo Di Stéfano, the player inked the five-year deal with the club. He then thanked the President for making his dream of playing for Real Madrid a reality. Calderón presented Van der Vaart with the pen used to sign the contract and a silver replica of the Santiago Bernabéu before the latter departed for the official presentation in front of the media and fans.

Officially Unveiled

Amid the cheers and “Oles” from the stands, Rafael van der Vaart unleashed his arsenal of ball skills. With the fans completely captivated, the midfielder then launched several balls into the crowd.

His adjustment and adaptation to the Spanish league and Real Madrid should take no time at all being that he has already played side by side three of his new teammates: Van Nistelrooy, Robben, and Sneijder. The Dutch gang is rounded out by Royston Drenthe, the Under-21 international currently in Beijing for the Olympics Games.

Dream comes true

Ramón Calderón:

At the conclusion of the last season, we made it clear that there would be very few, but very good incorporations for the new year. A logical decision having won two straight league titles and signed several young, successful, and dedicated players. It was a commitment that this Board of Directors followed through on and brought to a happy ending. Van der Vaart is the first incorporation of the year and most likely the only incorporation of the year. We feel the squad is very well-rounded, very talented and, above all, a united family which believes in the pillars of drive, hard work, sacrifice, and commitment.

Rafael van der Vaart is only 25-years old but has been playing in top flight football since the age of 17; the first five seasons with Ajax and the last three for Hamburg. At 18 he was called up for preparation matches for the German World Cup. He has won two leagues, one Cup, and one Super Cup. He fulfills one of our commitments made and the end of last year, which was to bring in an extraordinary talented player, a defensive midfielder who can score, who has a great vision for the game, and a ton of talent. A player who will surely help us a lot next season. He has just signed a five-year deal with this club, which is the mininum he will be here. We are absolutely positive that he will help complete the great squad we already have. We are also fortunate that he is half Spanish.

Van der Vaart:

Thank you, Mr. President. I don’t speak much Spanish, but I am very happy to be able to play for Real Madrid, the best team in the world. Thank you to all of you for making this possible. I am looking forward to joining the squad, to playing, and to winning many titles. Hala Madrid!

On his way up to the Presidential Balcony, Van der Vaart confessed to Realmadrid.com that  “today my dream has come true.”

Hala Madrid!!