Santi Cazorla, aged 40, has officially signed a new one-year contract with Real Oviedo, extending his stay after helping the club secure promotion to La Liga for the first time since the 2000/01 season[5][1]. Cazorla was instrumental in Oviedo’s playoff success, scoring key goals in both the semi-final and the final, and has confirmed he will play one more season before retiring at the end of the 2025/26 campaign[2].
Despite his age, Cazorla’s fitness impressed coaches last season, making 24 starts and often being the heartbeat of the team in high-pressure moments[2]. He remains a local hero and is set to start against Barcelona in Oviedo’s home match on September 25, marking his first start of the season in La Liga[4][3]. Oviedo have found the transition to the top flight challenging, securing just one win and scoring a single goal in their first five games, but the club’s supporters have been buoyed by Cazorla’s commitment and leadership[3][4].
The club sees Cazorla not only as a symbolic figure but as a vital source of top-flight experience in a demanding campaign to avoid relegation[2]. A fan campaign pushed for him to stay, and recent negotiations with the board have resulted in an agreement for him to continue, following reports that the player himself expressed a desire to contribute for one more year[2].
Cazorla’s illustrious career includes spells at Villarreal, Malaga, Arsenal, and Al Sadd, along with 81 caps for Spain, but he describes Oviedo’s recent promotion and his role in it as the most special moment of his football journey[3].
References
- [1] Santi Cazorla – Soccer News, Rumors, & Updates – FOX Sports
- [2] Santi Cazorla makes future call on Real Oviedo fairy tale – Football Espana
- [3] Santi Cazorla and Oviedo face Barcelona test as old friends…
- [4] Real Oviedo vs. Barcelona: Preview, Predictions and Lineups
- [5] Santi Cazorla officially signs new one year contract with club – Threads