Santi Cazorla returns to Real Oviedo after 20 years

Santi Cazorla has made an emotional return to his former club, Real Oviedo, who compete in the second division of Spanish football, La Liga 2. The former Arsenal midfielder will receive the minimum wage set by La Liga 2 to play for the club. One tenth of his shirt sales will go back into the club’s academy, as revealed by Oviedo. 

The midfielder has returned to Real Oviedo 20 years later, after establishing himself across Europe’s biggest leagues. He has played for Oviedo at the youth level before moving to Villarreal and also playing for Malaga and Al Sadd before returning to Spain. 

Santi Cazorla signs for Real Oviedo after two decades 

The 38-year-old will be wearing the number 8 shirt for Oviedo, and is expected to make his debut very soon. 

Over the course of his career, he has won the Euros twice with the Spanish national team and has won two FA Cups with Arsenal. During his spell with Al Sadd, he won the domestic double and enjoyed a fruitful spell in the Middle East. 

Santi Cazorla has played 684 professional games in his career, scoring 138 goals and providing 147 assists. His spell with Oviedo could be the final chapter in his career, with his deal only valid for the 23/24 season.