In 2012, Hamburger SV experienced a significant event when Rafael van der Vaart returned to the club. The return of the former star was met with enthusiasm from fans, who hoped for flair, goals, and leadership from him. On August 31, 2012, the last day of the transfer window, Tottenham Hotspur confirmed the move to Hamburg. Van der Vaart signed a contract until 2015, and the transfer fee was estimated at around 13 million euros. His first stint at Hamburger SV from 2005 to 2008 had made him the face of a successful phase for the club. In 74 Bundesliga matches, he scored 29 goals and provided 19 assists. The return was particularly important for HSV as the club had finished only 15th in the previous season. However, the first matches of the new season were disappointing, and the team was eliminated early in the DFB-Pokal. Uwe Seeler expressed concerns about the lack of creativity and goal threat in the team. Klaus-Michael Kühne, the businessman who made the transfer possible, had already publicly advocated for van der Vaart. He emphasized that since van der Vaart's departure, Hamburger SV had been missing its 'heart'.