Rafael van der Vaart fancies himself on the oche (Picture: Bongarts/Getty Images)

Former Tottenham and Real Madrid star Rafael van der Vaart appears to be taking on a new career on the oche as he has entered the BDO’s Denmark Open.

The 36-year-old, who won 109 caps for Netherlands across an immense career on the pitch, fancies himself as a decent darts player and is trying his hand in the Category A+ event in Esbjerg.

Van der Vaart lives locally in Esbjerg, where he finished his football career thanks to moving to the town to be with his girlfriend, Estavana Polman who plays handball for the Esbjerg team.

Rafael is not the only Van der Vaart in the event, as he is being joined by his brother Fernando in entering the tournament.


Van der Vaart has played with world champion Michael van Gerwen in the past (Picture: Getty Images)

Rafa has shared the oche with some big names in the past, reaching the Celebrity Darts Championship final in January alongside Michael van Gerwen.



MVG and RVdV lost in the final to Max Hopp and actor Jimmy Blue Ochsenknecht, but came through three matches to reach that stage.

The Denmark Open is a prestigious event on the BDO calendar with some of the biggest names in the history of darts lifting the trophy.

Eric Bristow, Phil Taylor, John Lowe, Raymond van Barneveld, Gary Anderson and Glen Durrant are just a few of the big names to have triumphed in Denmark over the years.

Van der Vaart will be hoping to add his name to that illustrious list, and pick up the €8,500 top prize in the process.

However, he will be up against it, with the likes of Jim Williams, defending champion Willem Mandigers, Scott Mitchell, Wes Newton and Tony Martin all involved.

The tournament takes place over the weekend of 3-5 May at the Granly Hockey Arena.

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