Football: Arsenal sign midfielder Cazorla

LONDON: Arsenal have completed the signing of Santi Cazorla from Spanish side Malaga on a long-term deal. The 27-year-old has been capped 45 times for Spain and was a member of the squads that won the European Championships in 2008 and this year. There was no official details given on the fee paid by Arsenal, but it was reported to be around £16.5 million. Named the 2007 Spanish Player of the Year, Cazorla joined Malaga in 2011 following two stints with Villarreal. He made 181 appearances for Villarreal helping them finish runners-up to Real Madrid in La Liga in 2008. “I’m so happy to be joining Arsenal,” said the midfielder. “This is a club with great players, a fantastic stadium and huge support. I’m so excited to be joining them. I will do my best to help Arsenal challenge for trophies and make the supporters happy.”

Published in The Express Tribune, August 8^th, 2012.