The fairytale continues! Arsenal legend Santi Cazorla signs new Real Oviedo contract at age 40 after helping inspire promotion to La Liga

Santi Cazorla has committed to another season with Real Oviedo, signing a new one-year contract that will see the Spanish legend return to La Liga after nearly half a decade away. The 40-year-old midfielder, whose previous contract had expired earlier this summer, will continue playing for his boyhood club as they prepare for top-flight football for the first time since 2001.

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Cazorla gets a new contract at 40
Will ply his trade in La Liga with Oviedo
Played a crucial role in the club’s promotion

Cazorla’s contributions during the promotion playoffs were crucial. He scored first with a stunning free-kick in the semi-final against Almeria and then calmly converted a penalty in the final against Mirandes. His composure and technical ability proved to be decisive in high-stakes moments, proving that even at 40, his influence on the pitch remains profound.

Cazorla’s journey with Oviedo is deeply personal. He spent his formative footballing years in the club’s academy, but financial turmoil at the time prevented the club from offering him a professional deal. Forced to leave in 2003, Cazorla went on to build a glittering career across Spain, England, and Qatar. In 2012, when Oviedo was teetering on the brink of extinction, Cazorla joined a group of former players who purchased shares to help rescue the club from collapse. Since rejoining in 2023 following a stint with Al Sadd in Qatar, he has racked up 61 appearances, five goals, and nine assists.

Cazorla is no stranger to triumph and adversity. A double European Championship winner with Spain in 2008 and 2012, he was once among the most admired midfielders in world football. But in 2016, an Achilles injury threatened to end his career prematurely. Over the next two years, Cazorla endured 11 surgeries, including one operation that led to a gangrene infection. His rehabilitation culminated in a remarkable stint at Villarreal following his time at Arsenal, where he had made 180 appearances and played key roles in back-to-back FA Cup wins in 2014 and 2015.

Though age will likely prevent Cazorla from consistently completing full matches in La Liga, his value to Oviedo extends far beyond matchday contributions. In the dressing room, his presence offers a benchmark of professionalism for younger teammates. On the pitch, he has already shown he can rise to big occasions when needed, and manager Veljko Paunovic will surely look to use him in key moments throughout the campaign.