Iván Calero Ruiz (born 21 April 1995) is a Spanish footballer who plays as either a right back or a right winger for Real Zaragoza.

Iván Calero
Personal information
Full name Iván Calero Ruiz
Date of birth (1995-04-21) 21 April 1995 (age 29)
Place of birth Parla, Spain
Height 1.74 m (5 ft 8+12 in)
Position(s) Right back, winger
Team information
Current team
Zaragoza
Youth career
Atlético Madrid
2008–2010 Real Madrid
2010–2012 Atlético Madrid
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2011–2013 Atlético Madrid C 33 (7)
2012–2014 Atlético Madrid B 29 (4)
2014–2016 Derby County 2 (0)
2015Burton Albion (loan) 6 (0)
2016–2017 Sparta Rotterdam 8 (2)
2016–2017 Jong Sparta 10 (4)
2017–2019 Elche 17 (0)
2018–2019Salamanca (loan) 34 (7)
2019–2020 Numancia 37 (2)
2020–2022 Málaga 20 (1)
2022Alcorcón (loan) 16 (1)
2022–2024 Cartagena 76 (2)
2024– Zaragoza 0 (0)
International career
2011 Spain U16 5 (3)
2012 Spain U17 6 (3)
2013 Spain U18 2 (1)
2013–2014 Spain U19 10 (4)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 8 June 2024

He began his career at Atlético Madrid, playing in its third and second teams before joining Derby County in 2014. He had two years at the English club, and spent a short loan at Burton Albion before having a one-year spell at Dutch side Sparta Rotterdam and subsequently returning to Spain, where he played for Elche and Salamanca before establishing himself in the Segunda División. Calero has represented Spain internationally, up to under-19 level.

Club career

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Atlético Madrid

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Born in Parla in the Community of Madrid, Calero graduated from local Atlético Madrid's youth system, and made his senior debut with the C-team in the 2011–12 campaign, in Tercera División. He appeared regularly in the following season, also making his senior debut with the reserves in Segunda División B on 9 September 2012, replacing Pedro Martín after 60 minutes of a 1–3 loss at CD Leganés.[1]

On 20 February 2013 Calero was called up to the main squad by manager Diego Simeone for a UEFA Europa League match against Rubin Kazan.[2] However, he remained unused in the eventual 1–0 away win.[3]

On 19 May 2013, in only his second match with the reserves, Calero scored his first senior goal, netting the last of a 4–1 win at Rayo Vallecano B.[4] He was definitely promoted to the B-team in the 2013 summer, and scored four goals in 29 matches in 2013–14.

Derby County

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In July 2014, Calero went to Championship club Derby County, and signed a two-year deal with the Rams on 18 July.[5] Manager Steve McLaren said "He's a young player with excellent pedigree. We are really pleased that he sees his future at Derby County."[6]

Calero played his first match as a professional on 26 August, replacing Simon Dawkins for the last 20 minutes of a League Cup victory over Charlton Athletic at Pride Park, netting the game's only goal in the 87th minute.[7] On 14 September he played in the league for the first time, replacing John Eustace for the final 13 minutes of a 1–1 draw away to rivals Nottingham Forest.[8]

After spending time training there, Calero was loaned to nearby League Two club Burton Albion for a month on 2 February 2015.[9] He was signed by Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, whom he had watched play for Atlético Madrid in 1999–2000, and said "He was a big hero because of his goals. He's one of the reasons I came...I can learn many things from him. It's a great opportunity for my development and to get some experience".[10] Five days after signing he made his debut, replacing Adam McGurk for the last two minutes of a 3–1 win at Cheltenham Town.[11] On 10 February he made his first start in his first match at the Pirelli Stadium, playing the first 64 minutes of a goalless draw against Wimbledon before being replaced by Abdenasser El Khayati.[12]

After Calero returned to Derby, Burton were promoted to League One at the end of the season as champions,[13] while Derby missed out on the play-offs with a 0–3 home defeat to Reading on the last day.[14]

After appearing on the bench only once in the 2015–16 season, Calero was one of five Derby youngsters released at the end of the campaign.[15]

Sparta Rotterdam

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On 2 June 2016 Calero signed a two-year contract with Dutch club Sparta Rotterdam.[16]

Elche

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On 8 July 2017, Calero signed for Elche CF in the third division.[17] On 27 July of the following year, after achieving promotion to Segunda División, he was loaned to fellow third division side Salamanca CF for one year.[18]

Numancia / Málaga

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On 8 July 2019, Calero joined CD Numancia on a two-year deal after terminating his contract with Elche.[19] On 28 August of the following year, after suffering relegation, he signed a three-year contract with Málaga CF.[20]

In December 2020, Calero suffered a serious knee injury, only returning to action the following September.[21] On 15 January 2022, he moved to fellow second division side AD Alcorcón on loan for the remainder of the season.[22]

Cartagena

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On 3 July 2022, free agent Calero signed a three-year deal with FC Cartagena, still in the second tier.[23] He was a regular starter for the side, being managed by his father during most of the 2023–24 campaign.

Zaragoza

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On 16 July 2024, Calero agreed to a three-year contract with Real Zaragoza also in division two.[24]

International career

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On 23 November 2010 Calero was called up to the Spain under-16s.[25] He subsequently represented the under-17, under-18 and under-19 levels.[26]

Personal life

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Calero's father Julián had a lengthy career in coaching and management, including as assistant to Fernando Hierro for the Spain national team at the 2018 FIFA World Cup.[27]

Career statistics

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As of 16 June 2023
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National Cup Europe Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Atlético Madrid C 2011–12 Tercera División 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
2012–13 32 7 0 0 0 0 0 0 32 7
Subtotal 33 7 0 0 0 0 0 0 33 7
Atlético Madrid B 2012–13[28] Segunda División B 2 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 1
2013–14[29] 27 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 27 3
Subtotal 29 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 29 4
Derby County 2014–15 Championship 2 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 3 1
Burton Albion (loan) 2014–15 League Two 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 6 0
Sparta Rotterdam 2016–17[30] Eredivisie 8 2 4 0 0 0 0 0 12 2
Jong Sparta Rotterdam 2016–17 Tweede Divisie 10 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 10 4
Elche 2017–18[31] Segunda División B 17 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 20 0
Salamanca (loan) 2018–19[32] Segunda División B 34 7 0 0 0 0 0 0 34 7
Numancia 2019–20[33] Segunda División 37 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 37 2
Málaga 2020–21[34] Segunda División 18 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 18 1
2021–22[35] 2 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 4 0
Subtotal 20 1 2 0 0 0 0 0 22 1
Alcorcón (loan) 2021–22[36] Segunda División 16 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 16 1
Cartagena 2022–23[37] Segunda División 39 1 2 0 0 0 0 0 41 1
Career total 251 29 12 1 0 0 0 0 263 30

References

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  1. ^ El Leganés se aferra a Butarque (Leganés holds on to Butarque) Archived 2016-03-04 at the Wayback Machine; Vavel, 9 September 2012 (in Spanish)
  2. ^ Simeone llena de canteranos la convocatoria para Moscú (Simeone fills the squad for Moscow with youth team players); Marca, 19 February 2013 (in Spanish)
  3. ^ Rubin hold off Atlético to end holders' reign; UEFA.com, 21 February 2013
  4. ^ El Atlético B acabó la temporada goleando al Rayo B (Atlético B finished the season thrashing Rayo B); Atlético Madrid's official website, 19 May 2013 (in Spanish)
  5. ^ Derby County Sign Spanish Youth International Ivan Calero; Derby County's official website, 18 July 2014
  6. ^ Transfer news: Derby sign former Atletico Madrid midfielder Ivan Calero; Sky Sports, 18 July 2014
  7. ^ "Derby 1-0 Charlton". BBC Sport. 26 August 2014. Retrieved 26 August 2014.
  8. ^ "Nottm Forest 1-1 Derby". BBC Sport. 14 September 2014. Retrieved 14 September 2014.
  9. ^ "Transfer Deadline Day: Derby's Calero joins Burton on loan". BBC Sport. 2 February 2015. Retrieved 2 February 2015.
  10. ^ "Ivan Calero: Hero Hasselbaink influenced Burton loan move". BBC Sport. 5 February 2015. Retrieved 2 March 2015.
  11. ^ "Cheltenham 1-3 Burton". BBC Sport. 7 February 2015. Retrieved 7 February 2015.
  12. ^ "Burton 0-0 Wimbledon". BBC Sport. 10 February 2015. Retrieved 11 February 2015.
  13. ^ "Cambridge 2-3 Burton". BBC Sport. 2 May 2015. Retrieved 2 May 2015.
  14. ^ "Derby 0-3 Reading". BBC Sport. 2 May 2015. Retrieved 2 May 2015.
  15. ^ "Derby County: Conor Sammon and Stephen Warnock to leave Rams this summer". Derby Telegraph. 20 May 2016. Retrieved 20 May 2016.
  16. ^ Sparta Rotterdam haalt Iván Calero Ruiz Archived 2016-06-05 at the Wayback Machine; Sparta Rotterdam, 2 June 2016
  17. ^ "OFICIAL | El Elche incorpora a Iván Calero" [OFFICIAL | Elche sign Iván Calero] (in Spanish). Elche CF. 8 July 2017.
  18. ^ "Iván Calero, Pablo González y Sergio Molina, nuevas incorporaciones del Salamanca UDS" [Iván Calero, Pablo González and Sergio Molina, new additions of Salamanca UDS] (in Spanish). CF Salmantino. 27 July 2018. Archived from the original on 27 July 2018. Retrieved 27 July 2018.
  19. ^ "Iván Calero, nuevo jugador del CD Numancia" [Iván Calero, new player of CD Numancia] (in Spanish). CD Numancia. 8 July 2019. Retrieved 9 July 2019.
  20. ^ "El carril derecho se fortalece con Iván Calero" [The right flank is bolstered with Iván Calero] (in Spanish). Málaga CF. 28 August 2020. Retrieved 29 August 2020.
  21. ^ "Iván Calero, la luz al final del túnel" [Iván Calero, the light at the end of the tunnel] (in Spanish). Marca. 21 September 2021. Retrieved 16 January 2022.
  22. ^ "Calero loaned out to AD Alcorcón". Málaga CF. 15 January 2022. Retrieved 16 January 2022.
  23. ^ "Iván Calero, velocidad y habilidad para el lateral derecho albinegro" [Iván Calero, speed and skill for the white-and-black right back] (in Spanish). FC Cartagena. 3 July 2022. Retrieved 2 August 2022.
  24. ^ "Iván Calero, nuevo jugador del Real Zaragoza" [Iván Calero, new player of Real Zaragoza] (in Spanish). Real Zaragoza. 16 July 2024. Retrieved 16 July 2024.
  25. ^ Borja, Calero y 'Chele' convocados por la Selección Sub-16 (Borja, Calero and 'Chele' called up to the under-16's); Atlético Madrid's official website, 23 November 2010 (in Spanish)
  26. ^ Iván Calero, Iván Alejo y Héctor, a la selección Sub-19 (Iván Calero, Iván Alejo and Héctor, to the under-19's); Atlético Madrid's official website, 25 July 2013 (in Spanish)
  27. ^ "El padre de Iván Calero, segundo de Fernando Hierro en la Selección Española" [Iván Calero's father, Fernando Hierro's number two in the Spanish national team]. Diario de Información (in Spanish). 13 June 2018. Retrieved 25 February 2019.
  28. ^ Iván Calero: Matches played 2012–13; BDFutbol. Retrieved on 27 August 2014
  29. ^ Iván Calero: Matches played 2013–14; BDFutbol. Retrieved on 27 August 2014
  30. ^ "Matches Calero, Iván Calero Ruiz | BDFutbol".
  31. ^ "Matches Calero, Iván Calero Ruiz | BDFutbol".
  32. ^ "Matches Calero, Iván Calero Ruiz | BDFutbol".
  33. ^ "Matches Calero, Iván Calero Ruiz | BDFutbol".
  34. ^ "Matches Calero, Iván Calero Ruiz | BDFutbol".
  35. ^ "Matches Calero, Iván Calero Ruiz | BDFutbol".
  36. ^ "Matches Calero, Iván Calero Ruiz | BDFutbol".
  37. ^ "Matches Calero, Iván Calero Ruiz | BDFutbol".
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