Amsterdam, Nov 6: Former Tottenham Hotspur and Netherlands playmaker Rafael van der Vaart has announced his retirement from football with immediate effect after latest injury setbacks.
The 35-year-old started his career with Dutch giant and later went onto playing for some of the biggest clubs in the world which includes Tottenham Hotspur and Real Madrid.
Since 2015, the Dutch footballer struggled for game time, catching in brief spells with Real Betis, FC Midtjylland, and finally Esbjerg this season. However, the two times Eredivisie winner only managed a mere 55 minutes till now because of consistent injury issues and being frustrating on the rehab table, the player now has announced his immediate retirement from football, insisting he is unwilling to waste his year-long contract by being injured only.
"I just have to stop now. I'm not here to rehabilitate, but to play football," Van der Vaart told.
"I would have wanted to become a football grandpa, but that is not the case. I can only be grateful for all the years I was allowed to play football, all those players, staff, fans of the [Amsterdam] Arena, Volksparkstadion, White Hart Lane, to the Bernabeu.
Rafael van der Vaart has announced his retirement from football.
— Tottenham Hotspur (@Spurs_India) November 6, 2018
Thanks for the memories and good luck for the future, @rafvdvaart! 💙🙌#COYS pic.twitter.com/n266jxQWyv
OFFICIAL: Rafael van der Vaart has announced his retirement from professional football after 534 club appearances and 171 goals.#vandervaart pic.twitter.com/ibV8CFy9Yf
— EFootball (@EFootball_) November 6, 2018