Santi Cazorla will play final game for boyhood club Villarreal on Sunday as he teases non-playing role in the future with Arsenal or LaLiga side
- Santi Cazorla will leave Villarreal on Sunday after opting not to extend his deal
- Cazorla has been linked with a return to former club Arsenal in a coaching role
- The Spaniard has also revealed his desire to become a sporting director
Santi Cazorla will play his final game for Villarreal on Sunday after deciding not to extend his contract at the club amid reports he could return to Arsenal.
Cazorla joined Villarreal in 2018 for his third spell at the club after leaving the Gunners following an injury-hit time at the Emirates.
The Spaniard’s future is now up in the air, with the 35-year-old hinting he could move into coaching or a sporting director role rather than extend his playing career.
Santi Cazorla will play his final match for Villarreal on Sunday after opting not to extend deal
Cazorla will bring the curtain down on his third spell at the club but hopes to return as a coach
Cazorla has also been linked with a return to Arsenal, where he spent six years from 2012-18
Ahead of his final game for Villarreal, Cazorla said: ‘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 [Soriano, who will also play his final game on Sunday).
‘I hope that, as happened with my previous farewell match [when Cazorla left in 2006], it will be a “see you later”.’
In recent weeks, reports have claimed Cazorla has opened talks with Turkish side Besiktas and Saudi Arabian outfit Al Sadd.
Cazorla won two FA Cups and Community Shield alongside current Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta
The Spaniard has also discussed his past at Arsenal and the potential of returning to the club in a non-playing capacity in the future.
‘I don’t know what my legacy is [at Arsenal],’ he told Vamos.
‘You would have to ask the fans, but I want to thank everyone.
‘I don’t know what I will do next, maybe a coach, maybe a sports director, but I would like to come back.’
The 35-year-old played alongside current Gunners manager Arteta for four seasons at the Emirates Stadium.
Cazorla spent six years with Arsenal in all, playing 180 matches and twice winning the FA Cup.
