MADRID // Promoted Real Betis have signed Netherlands midfielder Rafael van der Vaart on a three-year contract to bolster their top-flight ambitions next season.
The Seville-based club secured a return to the Primera Liga last month after one campaign in the second division and the 32-year-old, who joins on a free transfer from Hamburg SV, is their first acquisition of the close season.
A product of the Ajax Amsterdam youth academy, Van der Vaart has made 109 appearances for Netherlands, taking part in two World Cups and three European Championships and scoring 25 goals, but he was not included in their most recent squad.
Other transfer news:
Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel ‘agrees personal terms’ with AGL champions Al Ain
Transfer talk: Man United play hardball with Real Madrid over De Gea, Liverpool back in for Clyne
After leaving Ajax in 2005 he joined Hamburg before moving on to Real Madrid, Tottenham Hotspur and then returning to the German club that narrowly avoided relegation last term.
Van der Vaart told a news conference on Tuesday he was aiming to put a disappointing spell at Hamburg behind him and that he wanted his place back in the Dutch team.
“Betis is a great club and I am happy to come to the best league in the world,” said the midfielder whose maternal family hail from Andalusia.
“I have had two poor years at Hamburg but I still believe I am a good player. I was talking to the coach and we want to win the league.”
Betis finished 11 points adrift at the bottom of the Liga in 2013-14 before coach Pepe Mel returned in December for a second stint in charge following a troubled spell at English club West Bromwich Albion.
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Quick pearls of wisdom
Focus on gratitude: And do so deeply, he says. “Think of one to three things a day that you’re grateful for. It needs to be specific, too, don’t just say ‘air.’ Really think about it. If you’re grateful for, say, what your parents have done for you, that will motivate you to do more for the world.”
Know how to fight: Shetty married his wife, Radhi, three years ago (he met her in a meditation class before he went off and became a monk). He says they’ve had to learn to respect each other’s “fighting styles” – he’s a talk it-out-immediately person, while she needs space to think. “When you’re having an argument, remember, it’s not you against each other. It’s both of you against the problem. When you win, they lose. If you’re on a team you have to win together.”
Europe’s rearming plan
- Suspend strict budget rules to allow member countries to step up defence spending
- Create new "instrument" providing €150 billion of loans to member countries for defence investment
- Use the existing EU budget to direct more funds towards defence-related investment
- Engage the bloc's European Investment Bank to drop limits on lending to defence firms
- Create a savings and investments union to help companies access capital
Dr Afridi's warning signs of digital addiction
Spending an excessive amount of time on the phone.
Neglecting personal, social, or academic responsibilities.
Losing interest in other activities or hobbies that were once enjoyed.
Having withdrawal symptoms like feeling anxious, restless, or upset when the technology is not available.
Experiencing sleep disturbances or changes in sleep patterns.
What are the guidelines?
Under 18 months: Avoid screen time altogether, except for video chatting with family.
Aged 18-24 months: If screens are introduced, it should be high-quality content watched with a caregiver to help the child understand what they are seeing.
Aged 2-5 years: Limit to one-hour per day of high-quality programming, with co-viewing whenever possible.
Aged 6-12 years: Set consistent limits on screen time to ensure it does not interfere with sleep, physical activity, or social interactions.
Teenagers: Encourage a balanced approach – screens should not replace sleep, exercise, or face-to-face socialisation.
Source: American Paediatric Association
Brave CF 27 fight card
Welterweight:
Abdoul Abdouraguimov (champion, FRA) v Jarrah Al Selawe (JOR)
Lightweight:
Anas Siraj Mounir (TUN) v Alex Martinez (CAN)
Welterweight:
Mzwandile Hlongwa (RSA) v Khamzat Chimaev (SWE)
Middleweight:
Tarek Suleiman (SYR) v Rustam Chsiev (RUS)
Mohammad Fakhreddine (LEB) v Christofer Silva (BRA)
Super lightweight:
Alex Nacfur (BRA) v Dwight Brooks (USA)
Bantamweight:
Jalal Al Daaja (JOR) v Tariq Ismail (CAN)
Chris Corton (PHI) v Zia Mashwani (PAK)
Featherweight:
Sulaiman (KUW) v Abdullatip (RUS)
Super lightweight:
Flavio Serafin (BRA) v Mohammad Al Katib (JOR)
