Tottenham Hotspur have finally managed to complete the signing of Rafael van der Vaart in an £8million deal from Spanish giants Real Madrid (Spurs 50/1 to win the Premier League).

The Premier League have given Spurs permission to sign the Dutch international after technical difficulties, involving computer servers used in the transaction between the White Hart Lane side and Real, prevented the club from submitting the relevant paperwork before Tuesday’s 6pm transfer deadline.

A statement from the Premier League: “The Premier League can confirm the transfer of Rafael van der Vaart’s registration from Real Madrid to Tottenham Hotspur.”

Spurs boss Harry Redknapp claims he only discovered the 27-year-old playmaker was available just two hours before yesterday’s deadline (Spurs 3/1 to secure a top-four finish).

Van der Vaart began his career with Dutch giants Ajax before moving on to Hamburg.

Real splashed out £13million to capture the midfielder in 2008 from the German side but Van der Vaart failed to secure a regular starting spot at the Bernabeu.