Madrid, July 2 -- Former Villarreal, Arsenal and Oviedo midfielder Santi Cazorla confirmed his retirement from professional football on Thursday at the age of 41 after a career spanning more than 20 years.
Cazorla, who also played 81 times for the Spain national team, announced his decision after his contract with Oviedo expired.
Although he was born in Oviedo and played in the club's youth system, he joined Villarreal, initially starting with the B team before spending a season with the first team and then joining Recreativo Huelva.
Villarreal bought him back from Huelva after just one season in southwest Spain, and he spenta further four years there before a short spell at Malaga, which ended when he joined Arsenal.
He spent six years...