Rafael van der Vaart gets back with wife after violent outburst

Hamburger SV midfielder Rafael van der Vaart has been taken back by his wife Sylvie after a brief split.

The former Tottenham Hotspur star admitted to striking his partner in front of guests during a heated exchange at a New Year's Eve party.

Despite both revealing that they had separated, Sylvie has decided to give the Netherlands international a second chance.

"We want to give it another try," Sylvie told German magazine Gala. "I am so happy. I still love him so much."

The pair, who have a six-year-old son called Damian, have been married since 2005.