Real sign Van der Vaart

Real Madrid have signed Holland midfielder Rafael van der Vaart from Hamburg.

The Spanish giants have also been pursuing Manchester United winger Cristiano Ronaldo this summer but have made 25-year-old Van der Vaart their latest recruit.

The Dutchman is set to be unveiled tomorrow and his arrival will help Madrid to compensate for the loss of compatriot Wesley Sneijder who faces three months out of action with a knee injury.

Van der Vaart, whose mother is Spanish, told www.vandervaartofficial.com: “Last night everything came together and I am now moving to Real Madrid.

“As everybody knows I have always wanted to move to Spain because I have a strong bond with that country. Now I’m going to play for Real Madrid ... it’s a dream come true.”

Van der Vaart scored 29 goals in 74 games for Hamburg and helped them finish fourth in last season’s Bundesliga.

Hamburg’s director of sport Dietmar Beiersdorfer said: “We wish him all the best for the future.”