Cazorla in for the long haul at Villarreal
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
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Spain midfielder Santi Cazorla has put an end to speculation linking him with a move to Real Madrid CF by signing a new six-year contract with Villarreal CF.
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First club
Speculation had linked the 23-year-old Spanish international with a move to the Santiago Bernabéu, and to AS Roma, but the Asturias-born player – who won five of his eight caps as Spain won UEFA EURO 2008™ – has elected to stay with the club which first nurtured his talents as a trainee. "This is the club which opened the door for me and I'm very thankful for that," he said. "I hope to be here for many more years."
'Great effort'
Aside from a season-long loan at RC Recreativo de Huelva in 2006/07, Cazorla has spent his entire career at El Madrigal. Making his first appearances for the senior side in the 2003/04 season, he has now scored seven times in 89 Liga games for the club, and was a regular last season as Villarreal finished second to qualify for the UEFA Champions League group stage. Club president Fernando Roig said: "We have made a great effort to keep him. We couldn't be without such an important player when the Liga begins this weekend." Robert Pires and Giuseppe Rossi will both miss Sunday's trip to CA Osasuna through injury.