Rafael Van der Vaart announces retirement from football

Former Netherlands and Tottenham playmaker, Rafael van der Vaart has announced his retirement from football with immediate effect.

The 35-year-old has struggled with injuries this season and has only made three appearances for Danish side Esbjerg.

After starting his career at Ajax’s academy, he had a successful spell at Real Madrid before Tottenham paid Stg8 million ($A14.5m)for him.

In a message posted on Twitter, van der Vaart announced his retirement by saying: “If there is one moment to use My Way, this is it.

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“It wasn’t an easy decision to say goodbye to the game I love the most. But words can’t express how grateful I am for those 18 wonderful years of professional football. Thank you all!” Van der Vaart made his debut for Ajax as a 17-year-old, making 117 appearances and winning the Eredivisie twice before moving to Hamburg in 2005.

A successful stay in Germany was followed by positive spells at the Bernabeu and with Spurs, before he returned to the Volksparkstadion for a second stint in 2012.

Since 2015, van der Vaart has struggled for game time, taking in brief spells with Real Betis, FC Midtjylland, and finally Esbjerg.

“I won prizes and played in championships, both with my clubs, the Dutch national team and individually,” he told De Telegraaf.

“In all those years I have been able to play football with and against so many great players in the most beautiful stadiums.

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“I had never dared to dream of that as a young boy.” Van der Vaart made his international debut in 2001 and his 109 caps ranks him fourth all time for the Dutch.

He played at three European championships and two World Cups, and ended the 2010 final against Spain as captain after the loss of Giovanni van Bronckhorst.