Posted by Linda Davidson
Arguably this season's best-buy in the Premier League, Rafael Van der Vaart, often travels back to the caravan site in Beverwijk, Netherlands, where he was brought up, to take in the sights and sounds that remind him of his youth.
The caravan site, located north of Amsterdam, is still home to the footballer's extended family and he regularly returns to organise a football tournament, reports the Daily Telegraph.
"Sometimes I go back to that caravan and it's a good feeling. It's still standing there, almost like it was. And my family are still there. They are in the same place and like the lifestyle," he told the newspaper.
It was on the caravan site that Van der Vaart honed his skills, aiming at empty beer bottles, and his skills with the football earned him acceptance following a childhood of being singled out as the son of an immigrant family.
Van der Vaart was spotted by Dutch club Ajax at the age of ten, signing professional contracts at the age of 18.
Last year, it was revealed that X Factor contestant Cher Lloyd had spent her youth living on caravan sites across Wales.
© Leisureshopdirect Ltd - 2004 . All rights reserved.
