Arsenal legend Santi Cazorla, 40, completes fairytale swansong with Oviedo

SANTI CAZORLA completed his fairytale swansong with Oviedo after netting to get them promoted back to LaLiga.

The ace helped inspire a stunning comeback against Mirandes to seal a return to the top flight after a 24-year absence, prompting an incredible pitch invasion from fans.

7

7

7

7

7

The former Spain ace started his career with Oviedo’s academy in 1996 before going on to star for Villarreal, Malaga and Arsenal.

Cazorla, who almost lost his leg due to an infection after numerous Achilles injuries, rejoined them in 2023 after a spell in Qatar.

Oviedo were in the second tier of Spain at the time, having last played in LaLiga in 2001 while even suffering relegation to the fourth division.

Cazorla’s first campaign back saw his side suffer heartbreak in the playoff final.

But the minnows are now back in the big time after Cazorla inspired a stunning win against rivals Mirandes, who won the first leg 1-0.

They doubled their advantage after just 16 minutes to leave Oviedo’s hopes of promotion hanging by a thread.

But Cazorla stepped up to score a penalty just before half-time, pulling his side back into the game.

Oviedo then levelled the tie on the hour mark before Mirandes had a men sent off.

BEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERS

And the hosts completed their stunning comeback in extra time as Oviedo fans flooded the pitch in tears of joy.

Cazorla was all smiles at full time as he kissed wife Ursula, having returned to Oviedo out of pure love for the club.

7

The playmaker even wanted to go unpaid, but league rules dictated he had to accept a minimum wage of £80,000 per year.

It now remains to be seen if Cazorla stays for one more season in LaLiga, having undergone a total of 10 operations to leave him in daily discomfort.

Two years of injury hell starting in 2016 saw a bacterial infection eat a 10cm chunk out of his right Achilles and ankle bone.

A bit of Cazorla’s hamstring and arm muscle was used to rebuild the tendon.

And he previously declared a return to Arsenal as a coach could be on the cards, saying: “Arsenal have never closed the door to me.”

Cazorla scored 29 goals in 180 games during his six years at the Emirates while winning two FA Cups.

He also played 81 times for Spain while winning successive Euros, but missed the World Cup victory in 2010 due to a hernia.