It’s 4.55pm on Tuesday 31st August 2010 and just months after qualifying for the Champions League for the first time, Tottenham are struggling in the transfer window having signed only Sandro and ex-Arsenal defender William Gallas on a free transfer.
Enter Daniel Levy and Harry Redknapp.
With the clock ticking and Spurs in a race against time, moments before the window slammed shut, news broke on Sky Sports News about the possibility of Tottenham bringing Real Madrid star Rafael Van Vaart to White Hart Lane.
At one point, there were rumours circulating that Tottenham had missed the cut-off point to complete the deal, but once the paperwork had been approved by the Premier League, and the transfer was permitted, the Dutchman put pen to paper and signed for just £8m.
Van Der Vaart became an instant hit in north London, marking his home debut by scoring a penalty which kick-started a comeback victory against Wolves.
The fans favourite notched 15 goals in all competitions in his first season, including against Inter Milan, Liverpool and three in two North London derbies, to help Tottenham reach the quarter finals of the Champions League and the last-four of the FA Cup.
The attacking midfielder was no less impressive during his second campaign, scoring 13 more times as Spurs finished in the top-four.
Surprisingly, Van Der Vaart returned to Germany at the end of the 2011-2012 season, but no Tottenham fan will ever forget his impact during those two seasons.
