Van der Vaart shuns Real exit talk

Real Madrid’s Dutch midfielder Rafael van der Vaart has distanced himself from rumours linking him with a move away from the Bernabeu in the January transfer window.

The 25-year-old has struggled to make his mark with Real since his arrival from SV Hamburg, but van der Vaart insists he is happy to stay put and fight for his future.

He told his club’s official website: “To begin with I know nothing about this, even though I have read it in the press.

“I suppose the first person to know about it would be me, they would have spoken to me.

“I've been here five months and I think it's very soon to be talking about these things. Nobody's told me anything.

“I'm not very happy, but it's difficult. I'm working very hard and we'll see if I can get more minutes on the pitch.

“It's true my position has always been midfielder, close to the forward. The rhythm is different, but I have to train a lot and my feeling is that things are going to get better.”

Sevilla’s Brazilian winger Adriano has signed a contract extension to keep him at the Sanchez Pizjuan until the summer of 2014.

The 24-year-old has spent just over four years in Seville and has become a key figure in the club’s recent successes, sparking rumours of interest from the likes of Real Madrid and Barcelona.

However, Adriano has now pledged his long-term future to Sevilla, telling the club’s official website: “I have given all for this club and I am very thankful that the club has supported me, that is what has made me stay here.

“I am very happy here. I'm back to 100 per cent and I have recovered to the level I was at last year.

“I've not been affected by injury so much this year and I hope it stays that way, so I can keep on helping this team achieve something big this year.”