Santi Cazorla will take the minimum wage at boyhood club Real Oviedo
Former Arsenal star Santi Cazorla has taken the lowest possible wage after sealing a dream return to boyhood club Real Oviedo.
The ex Spain international played for Oviedo when he was a youngster over two decades ago but had to leave their academy for Villarreal in 2003 as a 17-year-old following financial difficulties.
He ended up enjoying three different spells with the Yellow Submarine, also turning out for Recreativo Huelva, Malaga and Arsenal - spending six years in England.
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The 38-year-old had three seasons in Qatar with Al Sadd but has now penned a one-year deal with Oviedo and will finally play for the club's first-team.
He arrives on a free transfer but has selflessly volunteered to earn the minimum wage in the Segunda Division, which is now been branded "La Liga Hypermotion" as part of a huge sponsorship deal with EA Sports.
Last year, according to AS, the minimum wage in the second tier was €77,500-per-year (£66,200) - meaning Cazorla looks set to be earning just over £1,000-per-week.
In addition, the midfielder completely waived all image rights on the premise that 10 per cent of the funds from his shirt sales go towards the youth academy.
— Sid Lowe (@sidlowe) August 16, 2023
An official statement read: "Santiago Cazorla Gonzalez, 38, was born on December 13, 1984 in Lugo de Llanera. He trained in the lower categories of Real Oviedo, the midfielder has extensive experience in national and international football.
"The footballer, longing for the Oviedista fans, arrives free and signs for a year to move on to collect the minimum professional salary set by LaLiga Hypermotion for the Spanish Second Division.
"In addition, Lugo de Llanera gives up all image rights to the club of his heart on one condition: 10% of the sale of his shirts will be dedicated entirely to investment in the youth academy."
Cazorla, along with fellow academy products Juan Mata and Michu, purchased shares in Oviedo back in 2012 in order to keep the club going.
He is taking a similar step to former teammate Lucas Perez, who paid nearly half of his transfer fee in order to return to Deportivo la Coruna in the third tier.
The two-time FA Cup winner will be officially presented before making his debut for the Asturias outfit, who finished eighth last season.
Topics: Santi Cazorla, Arsenal, La Liga, Spain
Josh Lawless