22.06.2025 16:20
The 40-year-old Spanish footballer Santi Cazorla has taken his childhood love, Real Oviedo, which he came up through the ranks of, to LaLiga after 24 years.
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In the Spain 2nd League play-off final, Real Oviedo defeated Mirandes 3-1, returning to La Liga after 24 years.
THE MAN WHO MADE HISTORY AT 40, CAZORLA
Mirandes, who won the first leg of the final 1-0, fell behind in the second match. Real Oviedo took the lead with a penalty goal from Santi Cazorla in the 39th minute, and the first half ended with this score. The home team doubled the lead with a goal from Ilyas Chaira in the 52nd minute, while Mirandes reduced the score to 2-1 with Sergio Postigo's goal in the 74th minute. The normal time ended with this score, and the match went into extra time.
In the extra time, Real Oviedo increased the lead again with a goal from Francisco Portillo Soler in the 103rd minute. David Costas received a red card in the 119th minute for Oviedo. The match ended 3-1 after 120 minutes, and Real Oviedo became the last team to be promoted to La Liga.
THEY RETURNED TO LA LIGA AFTER 24 YEARS
Finishing the season in third place behind Levante and Elche, Real Oviedo returned to La Liga after 24 years. The last time Real Oviedo played in the 2000-2001 season, they finished in 18th place and were relegated. After the second league, Real Oviedo also competed in the third league for several seasons.
SANTI CAZORLA'S DREAM CAME TRUE
One of the most important figures in Spanish football, Santi Cazorla, became one of the architects of Real Oviedo's return to La Liga in the season they were promoted from the youth academy.
Cazorla, who had to leave the team in 2003 due to financial difficulties faced by Real Oviedo, returned in 2023. In a previous interview, Cazorla stated that Real Oviedo offered him a good annual salary, but he did not accept it and mentioned that he could play without a salary.
However, due to La Liga regulations, it was decided that Oviedo would pay Cazorla the minimum payment amount of 90,000 Euros. Additionally, it was agreed that 10% of the revenue from the sales of Cazorla's jerseys would be spent on the academy.
In the interview, the Spanish player stated, "Fortunately, I had a successful career; the last thing I wanted was to be a burden for my club. I am satisfied with these conditions; I would play for free, but we have to comply with the rules. Returning to Oviedo, where I dreamed of playing as a child, has been on my mind for a long time. Now I am back, and I am trying to help as much as I can."
SEASON PERFORMANCE
Santi Cazorla played in 35 matches this season, scoring 5 goals and providing 5 assists.
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