Iván Calero Ruiz (born 21 April 1995) is a Spanish footballer who plays as either a right back or a right winger for FC Cartagena.
Personal information | |||
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Full name | Iván Calero Ruiz | ||
Date of birth | (1995-04-21) 21 April 1995 (age 27) | ||
Place of birth | Parla, Spain | ||
Height | 1.74 m (5 ft 8+1⁄2 in) | ||
Position(s) | Right back, winger | ||
Club information | |||
Current team | Cartagena | ||
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) |
2015 | → Burton Albion (loan) | 6 | (0) |
2016–2017 | Sparta Rotterdam | 8 | (2) |
2016–2017 | Jong Sparta | 10 | (4) |
2017–2019 | Elche | 17 | (0) |
2018–2019 | → Salamanca (loan) | 34 | (7) |
2019–2020 | Numancia | 37 | (2) |
2020–2022 | Málaga | 20 | (1) |
2022 | → Alcorcón (loan) | 16 | (1) |
2022– | Cartagena | 0 | (0) |
National team | |||
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 3 July 2022 |
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. Calero has represented Spain internationally, up to under-19 level.
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.
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]
On 2 June 2016 Calero signed a two-year contract with Dutch club Sparta Rotterdam.[16]
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]
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]
On 3 July 2022, free agent Calero signed a three-year deal with FC Cartagena, still in the second tier.[23]
On 23 November 2010 Calero was called up to the Spain under-16s.[24] He subsequently represented the under-17, under-18 and under-19 levels.[25]
Calero's father Julián had a lengthy career in coaching and management, including as assistant to Fernando Hierro for the Spanish national team at the 2018 FIFA World Cup.[26]
![]() | This section needs to be updated. (March 2015) |
Club | Season | League | Cup | League Cup | Other | Total | |||||
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Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
Atlético Madrid C | 2011–12 | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | 1 | 0 | |||
2012–13 | 32 | 7 | — | — | — | 32 | 7 | ||||
Subtotal | 33 | 7 | — | — | — | 33 | 7 | ||||
Atlético Madrid B | 2012–13[27] | 2 | 1 | — | — | — | 2 | 1 | |||
2013–14[28] | 27 | 3 | — | — | — | 27 | 3 | ||||
Subtotal | 29 | 4 | — | — | — | 29 | 4 | ||||
Derby County | 2014–15 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | — | 2 | 1 | |
Total | 63 | 11 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 64 | 12 |
FC Cartagena – current squad | |
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