Rafael van der Vaart insists his move to Tottenham does not prove he was a 'failure' at Real Madrid. Spurs boss Harry Redknapp completed another spectacular 11th-hour transfer market coup after the Premier League ratified the Holland international's £8million switch on Wednesday.
Van der Vaart brought his two-year spell at the Santiago Bernabeu to an end after finding himself out of Jose Mourinho's first-team plans at the start of this season.
"I have not been a failure at Real Madrid," the Dutch World Cup finalist told Talksport.
"I have always given my best over the last few years for both club and country. Now I have arrived at Tottenham and I want to show my quality."
Van der Vaart admitted the lure of Champions League football at White Hart Lane played a major role in his decision to join Spurs, but the 27-year-old knows he will have to earn his place in Redknapp's starting XI.
He added: "I don't think I am going to have any problems adapting in England to the style of play and the country I am living in.
"The fact that Tottenham were playing in the Champions League influenced my decision a great deal. I have to earn my place in the team.
"Tottenham have a number of sensational players and I know it is not going to be easy, but that is the challenge I am looking forward to."
