Santi Cazorla

Lore & Background

Cazorla began his professional career at Villarreal in 2003 after impressing as a youngster with Oviedo, his hometown club, where he was forced to leave due to Oviedo's poor financial situation. He continued his development at Villarreal before a short spell at partner club, Recreativo de Huelva. He returned to Villarreal for €1.2 million the following season, becoming a key contributor to the side. In 2011, Cazorla moved to Málaga in a club-record €21 million deal. After the 2011–12 season, Cazorla moved to Premier League side Arsenal for a fee of £10 million. In 2018, Cazorla returned to Villarreal; in his two seasons, he recorded his highest appearance, league goals and assist count since 2015. In 2020, he signed for Qatari club Al Sadd. He returned to Oviedo in 2023 on the lowest financial contract possible as to help the club.

In Their Own Story

The floodlights hummed over El Madrigal as the ball settled into Santi's boots. The crowd held its breath, sensing a moment of magic. He turned once, shielding the play with a subtle dip of his shoulder, and spotted the gap in the defense. With a touch that seemed to defy physics, he threaded the pass through the narrowest channel, setting up a chance that echoed through the stands.

Reader's Guide

Cazorla made his senior debut for Spain in a victory against Peru in May 2008, and was a semi-regular participant in the nation's triumphs at UEFA Euro 2008 and Euro 2012, as well as featuring at the 2014 FIFA World Cup. He scored his first international goal in a friendly match against Chile, and went on to amass 81 appearances and 15 goals for the national side.

Did You Know?

• Cazorla was awarded Spain's Footballer of the Year after his standout season with Recreativo de Huelva in 2006–07.
• He was voted Arsenal Player of the Season for 2012–13.
• Cazorla scored a crucial free-kick en route to winning the FA Cup final in 2014.
• He bought a significant stake in Real Oviedo in 2012 to save the club from bankruptcy.