Rafael van der Vaart was tonight in as much of a daze as Tottenham Hotspur fans after the Premier League sanctioned his whirlwind £8m move from Real Madrid with hours to spare.

Spurs had been sweating on clearance to bring Netherlands midfielder Van der Vaart to White Hart Lane after technical difficulties hampered their efforts to submit the relevant paperwork for the signing before yesterday's 6pm transfer deadline.

But after investigating the club's claims that there were difficulties involving computer servers used in the transaction between themselves and Real, the Premier League today ratified the move. That allowed Tottenham to announce the 27-year-old's signing less than two hours before top-flight clubs had to submit their 25-man squads for the first half of the league season.

Four years at Spurs, for €11m, I can hardly believe it myself. The interest from Tottenham came very quick and I did not have much time to think.
New Tottenham midfielder Rafael van der Vaart

Van der Vaart, deemed surplus to requirements at Real, told De Telegraaf: "Four years at Spurs, for €11m, I can hardly believe it myself. The interest from Tottenham came very quick and I did not have much time to think. But I want to play football again and if possible every week, with a beautiful club. I'm totally happy.

"I am excited about playing in England. Whether it suits my style remains to be seen, but I think a good footballer can adapt and I am very proud of this transfer."

Confirming they had given Van der Vaart's move the green light, the Premier League said in a statement: "The Premier League can confirm the transfer of Rafael van der Vaart's registration from Real Madrid to Tottenham Hotspur."