Jun 7, 2014; Landover, MD, USA; Spain midfielder Santi Cazorla (20) dribbles the ball against El Salvador at FedEx Field. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

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Arsenal Legend Signs New Real Oviedo Deal at 40 to Continue Remarkable Career

Cazorla will once again bring his leadership and technical brilliance to Oviedo’s La Liga campaign next season.

Jun 7, 2014; Landover, MD, USA; Spain midfielder Santi Cazorla (20) dribbles the ball against El Salvador at FedEx Field. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

Arsenal Legend Santi Cazorla is set to continue his remarkable footballing journey after signing a new one-year contract with his boyhood club Real Oviedo. Notabaly, the club is preparing for their long-awaited return to La Liga after they earned promotion to La Liga for the first time in 24 years.

The former Spain international turned 40 in December and played a pivotal role last season in helping Oviedo earn promotion to Spain’s top flight. Cazorla rejoined Oviedo in 2023 after spells with Villarreal, Arsenal, and Al Sadd.

🚨🇪🇸 𝐎𝐅𝐅𝐈𝐂𝐈𝐀𝐋 | Santi Cazorla (40) signs 1-year contract extension with Real Oviedo! ✅

He helped them reach promotion to La Liga for the first time in 24 years and Santi will be there to experience it all.

Boyhood club too, incredible story. 💙🤍 pic.twitter.com/XHVjDVGGQq
— EuroFoot (@eurofootcom) July 12, 2025

Santi Cazorla Rolls Back the Years

Santi Cazorla rolled back the years with a series of decisive performances last season. He scored the crucial goal in the La Liga 2 play-off semi-final against Almeria as he curled home a trademark free-kick after coming off the bench to secure a 3-2 aggregate victory. He followed that up by converting a vital penalty in extra time of the final second leg against CD Mirandes, ensuring Oviedo’s return to La Liga.

Despite being in the twilight of his career, Cazorla’s contribution remains significant for his boyhood club. He registered five goals and five assists in 35 appearances last season and will once again bring his leadership and technical brilliance to Oviedo’s La Liga campaign next season.

Santi Cazorla after his hometown club, Real Oviedo, won promotion to La Liga.

Cazorla donated his own money to stop team going bust in 2012, beat a flesh-eating infection to continue playing and is on the lowest wage allowed. Nobody deserves this more 💙pic.twitter.com/s4H5VlEQfU
— Men in Blazers (@MenInBlazers) June 23, 2025

Cazorla’s career has been a story of perseverance and resilience. The two-time European champion with Spain spent six seasons at Arsenal, making 180 appearances and becoming a fan favorite at the Emirates. His career was nearly cut short after a devastating Achilles injury in 2016, which required 11 surgeries and even left him battling gangrene. Doctors warned him he might never walk properly again, let alone play football at the highest level.

However, Cazorla defied the odds and returned to professional football with Villarreal before extending his career further in Qatar with Al Sadd. He last featured in La Liga in 2020 but will now have the opportunity to add another chapter to his inspiring story in 2025.

La Liga

La Liga 2025-26

Real Oviedo

Santi Cazorla

Abhinav Goel

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I am a soccer writer at The PlayOffs, covering everything from match analysis to transfer buzz and tactical deep dives. Ever since I was a kid, soccer has been more than just a sport to me—it’s been an obsession. Playing and watching the game from a young age fueled my passion, eventually leading me into the world of sports media and betting. Now, I get to analyze the sport I love and bring the latest updates to fans worldwide.