MADRID, July 2 (Xinhua) -- Former Villarreal, Arsenal and Oviedo midfielder Santi Cazorla confirmed his retirement from professional football on Thursday at the age of 41 after a career spanning more than 20 years.
Cazorla, who also played 81 times for the Spain national team, announced his decision after his contract with Oviedo expired.
Although he was born in Oviedo and played in the club's youth system, he joined Villarreal, initially starting with the B team before spending a season with the first team and then joining Recreativo Huelva.
Villarreal bought him back from Huelva after just one season in southwest Spain, and he spent a further four years there before a short spell at Malaga, which ended when he joined Arsenal. He spent six years at the London club, although his latter seasons were hindered by a serious ankle injury.
Cazorla then returned to Villarreal for two more years before spending three seasons with Al Sadd in Qatar.
He made an emotional return to Oviedo at the start of the 2024-2025 campaign and helped the club win promotion to La Liga, although last season he could not help Oviedo avoid a return to the second division.
Cazorla ends his career with 776 club appearances and 143 goals in all competitions.
"Now that everything is ending, when the boots are being hung up, and the noise is turning into silence, everything fits together, because the ending wasn't just anywhere - I was at home," he wrote in the open letter confirming his retirement. ■
