Santiago "Santi" Cazorla González (born 13 December
1984 in Lugo de Llanera, Llanera, Asturias), is a
Spanish football attacking midfielder for Villarreal
CF. He also played for Real Oviedo and Recreativo
Huelva.
At Villarreal CF since the age of 18, the
left-footed debuted with the first team on November
30, 2003, playing one minute in a 1-0 win at
Deportivo La Coruña. Established in the main squad
in 2004-05, Cazorla scored 4 goals in the UEFA Cup
2004-05, and made 2 goalless appearances in the
following season's Champions League.
On 7 July 2006, Recreativo Huelva signed Cazorla for
€600.000, on a four-year contract, with a clause in
his contract whereby he could return to Villarreal
(for €1.2 million). He became Spanish Player of The
Year according to Don Balon Magazine after topping
its rating list. The following year Villarreal
exercised that option, as Cazorla had proven himself
(34 matches with 5 goals) during the 2006-07 season.
In 2007-08, Cazorla was instrumental in Villarreal's
final runner-up final placing, providing assists for
Nihat Kahveci and Giuseppe Rossi and netting five
goals himself.
On May 17, 2008, Luis Aragonés surprised the Spanish
press by picking the uncapped Cazorla for the 23-man
squad that would go to Euro 2008. He had previously
represented the U-21 side. He was a second half
substitute in the quarter final against Italy in
Vienna he also came on in the final as a sub.
