The one that got away as far as Spurs are concerned - could yet come back to haunt the London side...
El Hamdaoui started his career in the Netherlands with Excelsior Rotterdam and spent four seasons there scoring 32 goals in 74 appearances.
He was then brought to Spurs by then Director of Football Frank Arnesen as an up-and-coming backup to the likes of Robbie Keane and Jermain Defoe. During his time with Tottenham he was sent on loan to Derby County on two separate occasions scoring three goals in nine appearances.
Having suffered with a string of injuries, El Hamdaoui moved back to the Netherlands after just 12 months in England, signing for Willem II. He started well, scoring three goals in four games, before once again succumbing to injuries and missing the rest of the 2006/07 season.
On August 31st 2007 he moved to AZ Alkmaar and hasn’t looked backed since. He finally managed to stay injury free and scored 31 goals in 60 appearances over two seasons, including 24 in 34 in 2008/09. This was enough to earn him both the Dutch Footballer of the Year award and the League’s Golden Boot to go with his Eredivise winners medal.