Successful first year for Dutchman

Tottenham midfielder Rafael Van der Vaart has hailed his first season at White Hart Lane a success.

The Dutchman has scored an impressive 15 goals in his maiden year with the club following his surprise £8m deadline-day move from Real Madrid last summer.

"I couldn't have really imagined it would have gone as well as it did, I had a great season," he said.

"You have your ups and downs but at the end I scored 15 goals, the team played well, and it was a great Champions League season.

"Of course it's a pity that we didn't finish in the top four but we had a great season. So I'm a happy man and it was a nice first year.

"The Premier League is the biggest in the world. Everybody in every country sees our games and that's a nice thing.

"As a player you want to show what you can do to the whole world so it has been an important move for me."

The PFA Player of the Year nominee also believes team mate Gareth Bale deserved his accolade having been pipped to the award by the Welshman saying "It was a great honour. First year and straight into the top seven names, I was really proud.

"But Gareth was great and he deserved to win it. He also had a great season."

Van der Vaart is currently on international duty as Holland gear up for friendlies against Brazil and Uruguay.