Santi Cazorla returned to boyhood club after 20 years
Santi Cazorla defines the romance of football as the Spanish legend returned to his boyhood club Real Oviedo after 20 years.
Despite now being 38, the little wizard is determined to continue his playing career, and there is no place better where he started the journey.
The Segunda side confirms the sensational transfer, which is trending everywhere on the internet.
SIGN UP ON M88 MANSION TO GET YOUR LALIGA FIX WITH A SINGLE CLICK!
Check here for the rest of La Liga 23/24 Matchday 1 results
What is so special about Cazorla’s move?
Santi Cazorla personally requested the minimum wage set for professional players in the Segunda Division, reportedly just €1.5k-a-week, to return to Real Oviedo & gave up his image rights on the condition that 10% of his shirt sales get reinvested into the club.
Earlier this summer, Santi Cazorla left Qatari side Al-Sadd, the former club of Barcelona head coach Xavi Hernandez. He was offered the chance to be on Xavi’s coaching staff at Barcelona, but he will continue playing at his former club Real Oviedo instead.
Cazorla and the Destiny with Real Oviedo
The former Arsenal great was in the club’s academy until just before he turned 18 when he joined Villarreal.
It meant he never played a professional match for Oviedo, but the new chapter will rewrite it.
Cazorla joined Oviedo’s academy in 1996 and remained at the club until 2003, just before his 18th birthday. At this time, Villarreal signed him, meaning that he did not get the opportunity to play for the first team.
In 2012, he pulled a significant gesture by investing money into the club’s shares so that they could stave off the threat of extinction after falling into money problems.
“When I was a 9-year-old boy I had the dream of playing in my city, with my people and with my family. I had the objective of fulfilling it and it is a challenge that must be accepted. I want to live this experience and be with my people. It was a very easy decision in that regard. A lot of people may think I have a lot to lose and nothing to gain, but for me it’s the opposite.” Cazorla revealed on his return.
Cazorla will earn the minimum wage during his time at Oviedo, and he has also not retained any image rights, apart from 10% that will go directly towards funding the club’s academy.
The 38-year-old will hope he can be a catalyst for Oviedo this season as they attempt to secure promotion to La Liga, where they last played in 2001.
Author Details
TOM is a dedicated soccer writer whose words come alive on the page, mirroring the electric energy of the pitch. With a keen eye for detail and an unbridled love for the sport
You may also like
Dani Olmo on his Barcelona return: “I feel good” November 4, 2024
Vinicius slams racist fans during El Clasico game October 29, 2024
