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‘I was a fan favourite at Tottenham but my initiation cost me £20,000’ – Rafa Van der Vaart

Rafael van der Vaart has made an admission about how initiations worked at Tottenham Hotspur during his time at the club, and it sounds expensive.…

By Bharad Thirumalai · Spurs web

Published: Thursday, 1 October 2026 at 2:30 PM

Key Things to Know

Rafael van der Vaart revealed his Tottenham Hotspur initiation dinner in Dubai cost between €20,000 and €25,000.
Tottenham traditions required new arrivals to perform a song and pay for a full team dinner.
Van der Vaart reiterated that leaving Spurs for Hamburg in 2012 was the worst decision of his playing career.

The Story in 60 Seconds

Former Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Rafael van der Vaart revealed that his club initiation cost him between €20,000 and €25,000. Speaking on the Phrasenmäher podcast, the Dutchman explained that Spurs tradition required new signings to sing and pay for a team dinner, which took place at the Cavalli Club in Dubai.

Van der Vaart, who earned £70,000 per week after joining in 2010 under Harry Redknapp, reflected on his memorable two-year spell. He also reiterated that pushing to leave Tottenham for Hamburg in 2012 under manager Andre Villas-Boas was the most regrettable decision of his career.

Read the full article on Spurs web

‘I was a fan favourite at Tottenham but my initiation cost me £20,000’ – Rafa Van der Vaart

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