Harry Redknapp swooped for the Holland international in an ?£8million deal from Real Madrid just as the August transfer window closed. It proved an inspired bit of business as the midfielder, 28, helped guide Spurs through the group stages of a famous debut season in Europe's top flight, with their run eventually ended by his old club in the quarter-finals.
However, Tottenham can no longer offer Champions League football next season, although they look set to qualify for the Europa League after beating Liverpool 2-0 at the weekend. "I want to stay here, I think. It's great to be here. You saw how the fans were at Liverpool - so positive - and I am happy," he said in the London Evening Standard.
There had been suggestions the likes of Van der Vaart, Croatia playmaker Luka Modric and Wales full-back Gareth Bale would all move on to play in the elite competition again.
The Dutchman added: "Do I see myself at Tottenham for the next few years? Yeah, of course."
Van der Vaart believes despite being able to break into the top four again, Spurs can look back on the campaign with some pride, beating arch-rivals Arsenal at Emirates Stadium in November while recording a famous home win over Inter Milan and also beating AC Milan 1-0 in the San Siro.
"Against the big teams, we always play well but with due respect, against the smaller teams we dropped too many points and if you do that, you don't deserve to be in the Champions League," he said.
"Still, we have had a great season and a long one, as well. Everyone gets tired, but when you win games like the one at Anfield, it gives you a lot of confidence.
"You want to be in the Champions League, but you want to play in the Europa League as well. It's a great title to win and it means you play at least twice most weeks, which is important.
"The Europa League can help our development in Europe, but you have to remember that we did well in the Champions League. Reaching the quarter-finals in our first season was fantastic."
Source: PA
Source: PA