It is just less than four years since Rafael van der Vaart departed the Premier League.
After two successful seasons with Spurs - where he shone under the freewheeling football of Harry Redknapp - the midfielder returned to Hamburg. Three years later, he left Germany on a free transfer to Real Betis.
His services are no longer required by the La Liga side.
Now 33, van der Vaart could be set for a surprise move to the Championship with Reading. According to GetReading.co.uk, the club have held talks with the player over a possible move.
It seems somewhat preposterous - he does have 109 caps for his country - until you realise who is the current Reading manager. It's another Dutch international - Jaap Stam. The former Man Utd centre-back took over as Reading manager last month on a two-year deal.
Van der Vaart had a poor time of it with Real Betis last season - he made just nine appearances. Just two of those were starts in La Liga.
Still, it would certainly be intriguing to see him turn up in the Championship.
Picture credit; David Maher / SPORTSFILE
