Santi Cazorla, the attacking midfielder, left in 2020 to join Qatari club Al Sadd. He spent three seasons there and won back-to-back league titles.
Last year, Cazorla made an emotional return to his boyhood club, Real Oviedo, after 20 years. He had spent seven years in their youth system before leaving in 2003 to join Villarreal.
Currently, Oviedo sits sixth in the Segunda Division and is firmly in the hunt for promotion to La Liga for the first time in 23 years, with Cazorla making 20 appearances this season. In an interview, Cazorla discussed his return to Oviedo and the sense of responsibility and deeper connection he feels to the club.
He spoke of the offer he received and his decision to prioritize enjoyment and contributing to the club over financial gain. Additionally, he expressed his commitment to giving back to the community and the academy, negotiating for a minimum salary and a percentage of shirt sales to go to the academy.
Cazorla reflected on the experiences at his previous clubs and emphasized that playing for his boyhood club holds a deeper meaning and responsibility for him. He stated that it is not a step back, but rather a significant responsibility that he is determined to uphold.
