Spanish midfielder, Santi Carzola will bring his third spell at Villarreal in nine years to a halt after indicating he will part ways with the club this summer.
Carzola has opted not to renew his contract which will expire this summer. Hence, due to for rite of passage as he will be given a parting ceremony when the Yellow Submarines take on Eibar at home on Sunday in La Liga final game of the season.
Carzola, 35, began his career in Villarreal B before he was recruited to the first team in 2003. He then moved to Recreativo Huelva in 2006 but returned after a year.
After four season in Spain he sought for new adventure in England joining Arsenal in 2012 for a transfer fee of £10 million where he won two FA cup and two FA Community Shield.
However, stroke of injuries kept him sidelined in the better part of his playing days. Notable of all was the Achilles tendons injury he suffered during a Champions League fixture against Ludogorets Razgrad.
The injury triggered an existing fissured bone and amounted to a complex one that required 10 surgeries and healing time of two years.
He returned to action in 2018 but at that time he was donning the yellow shirts of Villarreal and has since scored 15 goals in 69 appearances in his third spell at the club.
Carzola who is quite happy to be leaving the same time with long-serving Bruno Soriano, a figure at the club since 2006 recounted his career path with praises to Villarreal.
He told Villarreal TV that “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. I hope that, as happened with my previous farewell match, it will be a see you later.”
With his future move yet to be confirmed, Cazorla has hinted on two possible destination: a return to Arsenal for an administrative role or a link up with former international compatriot Xavi Hernandez at Quatari club Al Sadd.
