Van Der Vaart Rejects Real Link

SV Hamburg midfielder Rafael van der Vaart has confirmed that he is staying at the German club for 2008-2009.

The Dutch international midfielder had a good Euro 2008 outing and was expected to be lured by a big name club.

So much so that earlier this week Madrid based Spanish sports daily Marca reported that mighty Real Madrid are tracking the highly rated former Ajax creative playmaker.

Marca reported that Real Madrid are now shifting from poaching Cristiano Ronaldo from Manchester United and are looking to sign Rafael van der Vaart this summer.

But the player himself says that he doesn't believe these rumours. He contemplates that he shall remain at Hamburg for one more season at least.

"I have checked everything out and there is nothing in it," he said. "I expect that I will be playing another year in Hamburg.

"Yesterday it was Atletico and today it is Real - it will probably keep going on like this."