Iván Calero Ruiz (born 21 April 1995) is a Spanish professional footballer who plays as either a right-back or a right winger for Cultural y Deportiva Leonesa.
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
Atlético Madrid 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 3–1 loss at Leganés.El Leganés se aferra a Butarque (Leganés holds on to Butarque) ; Vavel, 9 September 2012
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.Simeone llena de canteranos la convocatoria para Moscú (Simeone fills the squad for Moscow with youth team players); Marca, 19 February 2013 However, he remained unused in the eventual 1–0 away win.Rubin hold off Atlético to end holders' reign; UEFA.com, 21 February 2013
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.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 He was definitely promoted to the B-team in the 2013 summer, and scored four goals in 29 matches in 2013–14.
Derby County In July 2014, Calero went to Championship club Derby County, and signed a two-year deal with the Rams on 18 July.Derby County Sign Spanish Youth International Ivan Calero; Derby County's official website, 18 July 2014 Manager Steve McClaren said: "He's a young player with excellent pedigree. We are really pleased that he sees his future at Derby County".Transfer news: Derby sign former Atletico Madrid midfielder Ivan Calero; Sky Sports, 18 July 2014
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. 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.
After spending time training there, Calero was loaned to nearby League Two club Burton Albion for a month on 2 February 2015. 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". Five days after signing he made his debut, replacing Adam McGurk for the last two minutes of a 3–1 win at Cheltenham Town. 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.
After Calero returned to Derby, Burton were promoted to League One at the end of the season as champions, while Derby missed out on the play-offs with a 3–0 home defeat to Reading on the last day.
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.
Sparta Rotterdam On 2 June 2016, Calero signed a two-year contract with Dutch club Sparta Rotterdam.Sparta Rotterdam haalt Iván Calero Ruiz ; Sparta Rotterdam, 2 June 2016
Elche On 8 July 2017, Calero signed for Elche in the third division. On 27 July of the following year, after achieving promotion to Segunda División, he was loaned to fellow third division side Salamanca for one year.
Numancia and Málaga On 8 July 2019, Calero joined Numancia on a two-year deal after terminating his contract with Elche. On 28 August of the following year, after suffering relegation, he signed a three-year contract with Málaga.
In December 2020, Calero suffered a serious knee injury, only returning to action the following September. On 15 January 2022, he moved to fellow second division side Alcorcón on loan for the remainder of the season.
Cartagena On 3 July 2022, free agent Calero signed a three-year deal with Cartagena, still in the second tier. He was a regular starter for the side, being managed by his father during most of the 2023–24 campaign.
Zaragoza and Cultural Leonesa On 16 July 2024, Calero agreed to a three-year contract with Real Zaragoza also in division two. On 31 August 2025, he moved to fellow league team Cultural Leonesa.
International career On 23 November 2010, Calero was called up to the Spain under-16s.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 He subsequently represented the under-17, under-18 and under-19 levels.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
Personal life 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.
Career statistics
+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competitionClubSeasonLeagueNational cupEuropeOtherTotalDivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAtlético Madrid C2011–12Tercera División10000000102012–13327000000327Total337000000337Atlético Madrid B2012–13Iván Calero: Matches played 2012–13; BDFutbol. Retrieved on 27 August 2014Segunda División B21000000212013–14Iván Calero: Matches played 2013–14; BDFutbol. Retrieved on 27 August 2014273000000273Total294000000294Derby County2014–15Championship2011000031Burton Albion (loan)2014–15League Two6000000060Sparta Rotterdam2016–17Eredivisie82400000122Jong Sparta Rotterdam2016–17Tweede Divisie104000000104Elche2017–18Segunda División B170300000200Salamanca (loan)2018–19Segunda División B347000000347Numancia2019–20Segunda División372000000372Málaga2020–21Segunda División1810000001812021–222020000040Total201200000221Alcorcón (loan)2021–22Segunda División161000000161Cartagena2022–23Segunda División391200000411Career total25129121000026330
References
External links