Real Oviedo sees Santi Cazorla end playing career, eyes future role

Spanish midfielder Santi Cazorla, 41, announced on social media that he is hanging up his boots, ending his playing career at Real Oviedo – the club where he completed his youth training – after a season that saw Oviedo relegated from La Liga and his contract run until 30 June. Real Oviedo posted on its website that today marks the end of Cazorla's playing career at the club but not the end of his bond with them. The statement added that after a lifetime devoted to football, Cazorla can enjoy a well‑deserved rest and that the doors of Real Oviedo will always remain open for him. Cazorla earned 81 caps for the Spanish national team during his career. His international experience spanned more than a decade, contributing to Spain’s midfield in numerous qualifiers and tournaments.

Cazorla calls time after 23-year career with Oviedo farewell

Over the years, Cazorla represented Villarreal, Málaga, Arsenal and Al‑Sadd besides his final stint at Oviedo. His time abroad included a Premier League spell with Arsenal, where he was praised for his technical ability. In total, Cazorla appeared in 774 official matches across all clubs he served. The tally reflects a career that began in the early 2000s and extended into his early forties.

Cazorla hangs up his boots at Real Oviedo, ending a 41‑year journey

Oviedo indicated that the club hopes to share its future with Cazorla in whatever role, position or function he chooses. The former midfielder’s next step remains undecided, but the club assures his home will always be open. Cazorla’s contract with Real Oviedo was set to run until 30 June, but he chose to terminate it early. The decision came shortly after the club’s relegation, marking a natural endpoint to his playing chapter.