Personal Information
Full Name | Santiago Cazorla |
Date of Birth | December 13, 1984 |
Nationality | Spain |
Height | 1.65 m |
Role | Central Midfielder |
Santiago Cazorla: A Brief Biography
Santiago \"Santi\" Cazorla González is a Spanish footballer who plays for Arsenal in the Premier League. A versatile winger he can play on either flank as a result of being ambidextrous, and also as an attacking midfielder. Santiel Cazorla started playing football for local club Real Oviedo being acquired up by Villarreal CF six months before turning 18, as his previous club, immerse in a deep financial crisis, suffered two relegations at the end of 2002–03 which saw it land in Tercera División. He made his debut with the first team on 30 November 2003 in a 1–0 win at Deportivo de La Coruña. On 7 July 2006 Recreativo de Huelva signed Cazorla for €600,000 on a four-year deal, with a clause in his contract whereby he could return to Villarreal. He became Spanish Player of the Year according to Don Balón, a member of European Sports Magazines after topping its rating list. On 26 July 2011 Cazorla left Villarreal and returned to Andalusia to join high-spending Málaga CF, for a fee of €21m. scored on his official debut on 28 August, netting from a superbly-taken free kick but in a 1–2 away loss against neighbouring Sevilla FC. On 7 August 2012, it was officially announced that Cazorla had signed a long-term deal with Arsenal in the Premier League. Cazorla made his debut on 18 August against Sunderland in a 0–0 home draw in which he was named Man of the Match. He scored his first goal for the Gunners on 2 September in a 2–0 win against Liverpool at Anfield, whilst also providing an assist for Podolski on the opening goal in the match. On 17 November Cazorla was named Man of the match in Arsenal\'s 5–2 win against Tottenham Hotspur in the North London derby. Cazorla represented Spain at Euro 2008 and 2012, helping the national team win both tournaments.