Former Arsenal midfielder Santi Cazorla has revealed that he plans to draw the curtains on his professional football career at the end of the 2025/2026 season.
Cazorla, currently playing for his boyhood club Real Oviedo will have the opportunity to see out his career at the highest level of Spanish football after helping the club gain promotion to LaLiga.
The 40-year-old played a crucial role in Oviedo’s return to the Spanish top-flight, scoring a penalty in their 3-1 extra-time victory over CD Mirandes in the second leg of the Segunda Division play-off final.
Oviedo are now set to compete in the Spanish top flight for the first time in over two decades, and Cazorla will be looking to help them maintain their top-flight status in his final season as a professional footballer.
Although the experienced veteran signed a new one-year contract with Oviedo last month, he admitted that the physical toll of injuries sustained throughout his career is beginning to weigh heavily on him.
“This will be my last season. I have to listen to my body, and it’s already asking me,” said Cazorla.
“When I was a kid, I always dreamed of playing at the club, and I’m here now – lucky and able to play with my club in the top division.
“I love to play football, but as with everything, you have to know when it is the end. I have a lot of problems and pains every day.”
While Cazorla made his name in Spain with Villarreal, he went on to enjoy a great career in England, playing for Arsenal.
During a six-year spell at the Emirates, Cazorla made 129 appearances, winning two FA Cups and two Community Shields.
He currently boasts a record of 569 club appearances, 107 goals and 124 assists.
Olaoluwa is a dedicated sports writer and passionate football enthusiast with two years of experience. Known for his keen analysis and commitment to the game, his work reflects a deep love for football, blending strategic insight with the emotional moments that make it a global passion. He is focused on honing his skills and consistently aims to inspire and engage readers through every article he writes.
