Ex-Arsenal midfielder completes Qatar move
Villarreal midfielder Santi Cazorla reacts after Real Sociedad scored during their La Liga match against Real Sociedad at La Ceramica stadium in Vila-real on July 13, 2020. PHOTO | JOSE JORDAN | AFP
What you need to know:
- The midfielder bid farewell to Villarreal ahead of the team's final game of La Liga against Eibar last month
- Cazorla previously made 180 appearances over six years for Arsenal and has 81 caps for Spain
DOHA
Former Arsenal midfielder Santi Cazorla said "Xavi was very important in my decision to come to Qatar" as he signed for the country's highest-profile team Al-Sadd, where his fellow Spaniard is head coach.
"He was my reference when he was a player, and I'm sure he'll be the same as a coach," he said in a statement as he signed his new two-year contract late Thursday.
The midfielder bid farewell to Villarreal ahead of the team's final game of La Liga against Eibar last month.
The 35-year-old enjoyed a brilliant third spell at Villarreal after two years of serious injuries.
Cazorla previously made 180 appearances over six years for Arsenal and has 81 caps for Spain. He also played for Malaga and Recreativo Huelva after first joining Villarreal as a teenager.
"We have to try to win everything, all the titles," he said in the statement.
"Al-Sadd is the biggest club in Qatar and it's a great honour to be here and to be part of this club."
