Villarreal confirm Santi Cazorla departure

Villarreal have confirmed that mid-fielder Santi Cazorla will be making his final appearance for the club as he opted not to renew his contract amid Arsenal returns rumours.

The 35-year-old has enjoyed a great success in La Liga this season after overcome his career ending injury, scoring 11 goals and laying on nine assists in 34 appearances.

He had been weighing up whether to continue his playing career at Villarreal or start a new chapter elsewhere, having been linked with a return to Arsenal as a coach under Mikel Arteta.

‘Villarreal have given me everything,’ said Cazorla in a video posted by the club. ‘At the age of 18, they opted to sign a boy from Oviedo who knew no-one. I am proud to be able to finish my career with Bruno. ‘I hope that, as happened with my previous farewell match [when Cazorla left in 2006], it will be a “see you later”.’

Cazorla has yet to announce where he will go next, but he has two clear options: a reunion with Arteta in north London, or a lucrative deal with Qatari side Al Sadd.