Malaga have confirmed a deal for Santi Cazorla from Villarreal, making him their ninth signing so far.
Spain winger joins big-spending Los Boquerones from Villarreal
Malaga have confirmed a deal for Spain international Santi Cazorla, making him their ninth signing of the summer.
Cazorla, who was a part of Spain's European Championship-winning squad in 2008, joins for a fee believed to be around £20million, although no financial details have been published.
The 26-year-old became a key figure in his second spell with Villarreal after joining from Recreativo in 2006, and had been in demand by some of Europe's biggest clubs.
A back injury meant he missed Spain's triumphant World Cup campaign in South Africa last year, but he enjoyed an excellent season in helping the Yellow Submarine to the semi-finals of the Europa League.
Arsenal
It was thought that Arsenal were ready to go in for the winger, who has been capped 34 times for his country, but they may now put their sole focus on Valencia forward Juan Mata, who is a big money target for several clubs.
Malaga, however, are flexing their considerable financial muscle, making Cazorla another high profile addition to their squad, this deal being their record purchase to date.
They have been the busiest club in the Spanish transfer market, adding the experienced Jeremy Toulalan, Ruud van Nistelrooy and Joaquin Sanchez to their ranks under former Real Madrid boss Manuel Pellegrini.
"They have been very enjoyable years but football carries on and I have a very exciting project ahead at Malaga and now I must focus on that," Cazorla said in a farewell press conference at Villarreal's training ground.
