VDV delighted with first season

Van der Vaart: Pleased with the way his first Spurs campaign has gone

Tottenham midfielder Rafael Van der Vaart claims his first year in England could not have gone any better.

The 28-year-old playmaker had an excellent debut season at Spurs, scoring 15 goals in all competitions and a high number of assists.

Van der Vaart shocked many when he moved to White Hart Lane from Real Madrid last summer but his time in North London so far saw him nominated for the PFA Players' Player of the Year award.

The Dutchman admits it was disappointing not to finish in the Premier League's top four but was delighted his side managed to reach the last eight of the UEFA Champions League.

"I couldn't have really imagined it would have gone as well as it did, I had a great season," he told the club's official website.

"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."

Van der Vaart was pipped to the PFA award by Spurs team-mate Gareth Bale and he believes the Welshman deserved the prize.

He added: "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."