Van Der Vaart keeps options open

Hamburg captain Rafael van der Vaart admits the forthcoming season could be his last with the club.

The Holland midfielder, who has a contract with the German outfit until 2010, has played a starring role since joining from Ajax two years ago and knows a dream move could be on the cards if he continues to shine this term.

He has recently turned down a new contract with Hamburg, and could therefore leave for a contractually-agreed €1.5m in 2009.

Since he will not alter that clause in his contract, Hamburg would effectively be forced to listen to offers for the 24-year-old next summer.

“It could be that I move on next year,” he conceded in Sport Bild magazine.

“I have always said honestly that you should never make promises in football.”

Previously, his team-mate and compatriot Joris Mathijsen had fuelled speculation that the talented midfielder would leave Hamburg next summer.

He said: “I think this season will be his last. If he has another good season and then a good European Championships, he is gone.”

That could all change if Hamburg can give him the platform to fulfil his ambitions, though.

“It is my aim to play at a top club who are always fighting for the title and for victory in the Champions League,” he added.