José Antonio Caro Martínez (born 8 March 1993) is a Spanish professional footballer who plays as a central defender for Linares Deportivo.
Personal information | |||
---|---|---|---|
Full name | José Antonio Caro Martínez | ||
Date of birth | (1993-03-08) 8 March 1993 (age 29) | ||
Place of birth | Estepa, Spain | ||
Height | 1.82 m (5 ft 11+1⁄2 in) | ||
Position(s) | Centre-back | ||
Club information | |||
Current team | Linares Deportivo | ||
Youth career | |||
Estepa Industrial | |||
Betis | |||
Senior career* | |||
Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
2012–2015 | Betis B | 75 | (4) |
2013–2016 | Betis | 8 | (0) |
2015–2016 | → Elche (loan) | 22 | (0) |
2016–2018 | Córdoba | 52 | (5) |
2018–2020 | Albacete | 39 | (1) |
2020–2022 | Osijek | 5 | (0) |
2022 | UCAM Murcia | 10 | (0) |
2022– | Linares Deportivo | 4 | (0) |
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 16:41, 20 September 2022 (UTC) |
Born in Estepa, Province of Seville, Caro played youth football for local Real Betis, and made his senior debut with the B team in the 2011–12 season, playing one game in the Segunda División B.
Caro appeared in his first competitive match with the Andalusians' main squad on 3 November 2013, coming on as a substitute for Damien Perquis in the 55th minute of a 3–2 La Liga away loss against Málaga CF.[1] He was handed his first start four days later, featuring the entire 1–0 win at Vitória S.C. in the group stage of the UEFA Europa League.[2]
On 21 August 2015, Caro was loaned to Segunda División club Elche CF in a season-long deal.[3] On 1 July of the following year, he terminated his contract with Betis[4] and signed a two-year deal with Córdoba CF hours later.[5] He scored his first goal as a professional on 8 October 2016, closing a 1–1 away draw with CD Numancia.[6]
On 27 July 2018, free agent Caro signed a two-year contract with Albacete Balompié, still in the second division.[7] He made 17 appearances in his debut campaign to help his side finish fourth,[8] netting in the 3–0 home victory over Córdoba on 2 September.[9]
Caro moved abroad for the first time in September 2020, joining NK Osijek of the Croatian First Football League on a three-year deal.[10] He returned to Spain and its third tier in the 2022 January transfer window, however, with UCAM Murcia CF.[11]