Van der Vaart ready to fight for Spurs place

Rafael van der Vaart maintains he was no "failure" at Real Madrid - but will not take a place in the Tottenham team for granted.

Spurs were able to complete the £8million signing of the Holland international after the Premier League ratified the 11th-hour transfer deadline day move.

The 27-year-old former Ajax and Hamburg midfielder appeared surplus to requirements at the Bernabeu, with Germany star Mesut Ozil having arrived in the summer.

However, while the Dutch World Cup finalist maintains he has nothing to prove at White Hart Lane, Van der Vaart knows competition for places will be intense.

"I have not been a failure at Real Madrid," said Van der Vaart on www.talksport.co.uk.

"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.

"A number of clubs have been interested in me, but I always wanted to consider the best option at the last moment.

"When I saw that I would not be playing, I knew I had to leave.

"The Premier League is one of the best leagues in the world. I can only say if I have been worth the money at the end of the season."

Van der Vaart is confident he will be able to perform in the Premier League.

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."