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Caravan life ‘made me tougher’ says Spurs new boy Van der Vaart

The Dutch international grew up in a caravan with his parents

by Tim Lesnik

Tottenham Hotspur’s newest star has revealed himself to be a fan of caravan life.

Rafael van der Vaart, who signed for Spurs minutes before the end of the summer transfer window, grew up in a caravan with his parents.

Indeed, he told the Sun that his father was born in one and only moved into a “proper” home when his son first tasted success at Ajax.

However, far from being embarrassed about his unconventional upbringing, Van der Vaart said he embraced the caravan way of life.

“For me it was nice because it was different, although everyone was looking and saying, ‘Isn’t it strange to live there?'” he said in an interview with the news provider.

“It helped me, though, because I was like a street fighter. You have to fight for your place.”

Rio Ferdinand is another famous footballer with a penchant for caravans, with the Manchester United and England defender having
spent some of his summer in 2009 at a caravan park in Presthaven, Wales.