The remarkable football journey of Santi Cazorla, former Arsenal and Spain midfield maestro, continues to inspire as he signs a one-year contract extension with newly-promoted La Liga side Real Oviedo. The renewal will ensure that the the 40-year-old will grace Spain’s top flight for the 2025/26 season — representing not just a professional milestone, but the fulfilment of a deeply personal mission.
Ex Arsenal midfielder Santi Cazorla
Cazorla, who turns 41 in December, returned to his boyhood club in August 2023 on a minimum wage contract, determined to help guide Real Oviedo back to La Liga after a 24-year absence. More than a symbolic gesture, his return was a masterclass in leadership and loyalty. Not only did he commit to playing for the club on modest terms, but he also donates 10% of his shirt sales to support Oviedo’s youth academy — proving his investment in the club goes far beyond the pitch.
Last season, Cazorla made 35 appearances, netted five goals, and delivered when it mattered most. He scored a spectacular free-kick in the playoff semi-final and converted a calm penalty in the final, helping spark a historic promotion that sent fans into euphoria. His football intelligence, calm demeanor, and unmatched vision helped steer the team through high-pressure moments and into the history books.
Santi Cazorla has signed a one year extension with Real Oviedo.
Real Oviedo, in a heartfelt club statement, lauded Cazorla as a “symbol and emblem” and affirmed that his story proves “dreams, when pursued with the heart, come true.” His experience, both from 81 international caps with Spain — winning Euro 2008 and 2012 — and from elite club football with Arsenal, Villarreal, and Malaga, will be crucial as Oviedo faces the challenges of top-flight football for the first time since 2001.
Now, with renewed purpose and the backing of an inspired fanbase, Cazorla prepares to lead his beloved Oviedo into La Liga — not for fame, but for legacy.
His journey is a living testament to the soul of football: loyalty, love for the game, and heart for home.
