Iñigo Calderón

In this Spanish name, the first or paternal surname is Calderón and the second or maternal family name is Zapatería.

Íñigo Calderón
Calderón in 2015
Personal information
Full name Íñigo Calderón Zapatería[1]
Date of birth (1982-01-04) 4 January 1982 (age 42)[2]
Place of birth Vitoria, Spain[2]
Height 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in)[2]
Position(s) Right-back
Team information
Current team
 Bristol Rovers (head coach)
Youth career
Alavés
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2000–2002 Alavés C
2001–2004 Alavés B 71 (1)
2004–2007 Alicante 84 (5)
2007–2009 Alavés 52 (1)
2010–2016 Brighton & Hove Albion 198 (18)
2016–2017 Anorthosis 28 (3)
2017–2019 Chennaiyin 32 (4)
Total 465 (32)
Managerial career
2024– Bristol Rovers
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Íñigo Calderón Zapatería (born 4 January 1982) is a Spanish former professional footballer who played as a right-back, currently head coach of EFL League One club Bristol Rovers.

He played for Alicante and Alavés in Spain, joining Brighton & Hove Albion in 2010 and going on to remain several years with the club while appearing in 232 competitive games.[3]

Club career

Spain

Born in Vitoria-Gasteiz, Álava, Basque Country, Calderón started his professional career with Alicante CF in the Segunda División B, achieving two first-place finishes and one third during his three-year spell but seeing his team consecutively fail in the promotion play-offs.[4]

In 2007, he moved to Deportivo Alavés (he had already represented its C and B sides early in his career),[5] playing two Segunda División seasons – often serving as team captain[6][7][8]– and suffering relegation in his second year.[9]

Brighton & Hove Albion

Calderón with Brighton & Hove Albion in 2011

On 7 January 2010, after a spell on trial, Calderón signed with Football League One club Brighton & Hove Albion on a contract until the end of the campaign.[10][11] He made his debut nine days later in a 2–1 win at Walsall,[12] and scored his first goal for the Seagulls in another away fixture (also 2–1 victory), against Charlton Athletic on 23 February.[13]

Calderón's offer of a new contract at Brighton was withdrawn[14] after he agreed to join League One rivals Southampton in May 2010.[15] However, on 10 June, the player agreed to a new three-year deal, with manager Gus Poyet claiming "Calde is a quality player and was always our first-choice right-back...".[16]

In the 2010–11 season, Calderón scored eight goals, including a first-half strike in the 4–3 victory over Dagenham & Redbridge that helped Albion secure promotion to the Championship.[17][18][19] He subsequently signed a one-year extension, keeping him at the Falmer Stadium until 2014.[20]

Calderón netted his first goal of 2011–12 in the 2–0 home defeat of Bristol City – a thunderous drive from 25 yards.[21] He appeared predominantly as a right midfielder in 2014–15, scoring four times and being subsequently voted player of the season.[22][18]

Later years

On 9 July 2016, aged 34, free agent Calderón joined Cypriot First Division club Anorthosis Famagusta FC on a one-year contract.[23] On 19 July 2017, he switched to the Indian Super League with Chennaiyin FC.[24]

Coaching career

During the later years of his career, Calderon secured a UEFA Pro License before returning to former club Alavés as assistant manager to the reserves following his retirement.[25][26]

In June 2023, he returned to Brighton & Hove Albion, being appointed to the role of under-18s head coach.[27]

On 26 December 2024, Calderón was appointed head coach of League One side Bristol Rovers on a two-and-a-half year deal.[28]

Personal life

Calderón has a master's degree in sport psychology. He is also a qualified teacher.[29]

Career statistics

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National Cup League Cup Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Alavés B 2000–01[30] Segunda División B 1 0 — — — 1 0
2001–02[30] Segunda División B 2 0 — — — 2 0
2002–03[30] Segunda División B 35 1 — — — 35 1
2003–04[30] Segunda División B 33 0 — — — 33 0
Total 71 1 — — — 71 1
Alicante 2004–05[30] Segunda División B 25 0 2 0 — 2[a] 0 29 0
2005–06[30] Segunda División B 31 4 3 1 — 4[a] 0 38 5
2006–07[30] Segunda División B 28 1 0 0 — 4[a] 0 32 1
Total 84 5 5 1 — 10 0 99 6
Alavés 2007–08[30] Segunda División 20 0 2 0 — — 22 0
2008–09[30] Segunda División 32 1 1 0 — — 33 1
Total 52 1 3 0 — — 55 1
Brighton & Hove Albion 2009–10[31] League One 19 1 1 0 0 0 — 20 1
2010–11[32] League One 44 7 5 1 0 0 1[b] 0 50 8
2011–12[33] Championship 32 4 4 0 3 0 — 39 4
2012–13[34] Championship 28 0 1 0 1 0 2[a] 0 32 0
2013–14[35] Championship 23 2 4 0 1 0 2[a] 0 30 2
2014–15[36] Championship 35 4 2 0 4 0 — 41 4
2015–16[37] Championship 17 0 1 0 2 0 — 20 0
Total 198 18 18 1 11 0 5 0 232 19
Anorthosis 2016–17[38] Cypriot First Division 28 3 4 0 — — 32 3
Chennaiyin 2017–18[38] Indian Super League 20 3 — — — 20 3
2018–19[38] Indian Super League 12 1 — — — 12 1
Total 32 4 — — — 32 4
Career total 465 32 30 2 11 0 15 0 521 34
  1. ^ a b c d e Appearances in Promotion Play-offs
  2. ^ Appearances in Football League Trophy

Honours

Brighton & Hove Albion

Chennaiyin

Individual

References

  1. ^ "Professional retain list & free transfers 2012/13" (PDF). English Football League. 18 May 2013. p. 8. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2 August 2014. Retrieved 5 September 2013.
  2. ^ a b c "Inigo Calderon". Eurosport. Retrieved 18 March 2020.
  3. ^ Thorpe, Chris (16 November 2021). "Brighton and Hove Albion in the EFL: Remember Inigo Calderon? Here's what he's up to nowadays". Football League World. Retrieved 20 October 2022.
  4. ^ "Hemos logrado pasar la prueba" [We stood up to the test]. Las Provincias (in Spanish). 12 June 2007. Retrieved 14 April 2014.
  5. ^ Ruiz de Esquide, Fernando (11 July 2007). "El vitoriano Calderón se convierte en el primer fichaje para esta campaña" [Vitoria-born Calderón becomes first signing for this campaign]. El Correo (in Spanish). Retrieved 20 October 2022.
  6. ^ "El Alavés remontó con toda justicia en Mendizorroza" [Alavés came back from behind in Mendizorroza justly]. Marca (in Spanish). 5 October 2008. Retrieved 14 April 2014.
  7. ^ "Alavés y Albacete pelearán por tres puntos que pueden sacarles del peligro" [Alavés and Albacete will fight for three points that may lead away from danger]. El Confidencial (in Spanish). 23 January 2009. Retrieved 14 April 2014.
  8. ^ Oleart, Álvaro (13 November 2011). "Calderón: "Mi sueño siempre fue jugar en Inglaterra"" [Calderón: "I had always dreamed of playing in England"] (in Spanish). La Media Inglesa. Retrieved 20 October 2022.
  9. ^ Lekuona, Javier (14 June 2009). "La afición del Alavés llora por el virtual descenso" [Alavés faithful cry over virtual relegation]. Diario AS (in Spanish). Retrieved 20 October 2022.
  10. ^ Dudding, Tim (7 January 2010). "Albion sign Spanish defender". Brighton & Hove Albion F.C. Archived from the original on 10 January 2010. Retrieved 7 January 2010.
  11. ^ "Brighton & Hove Albion sign Inigo Calderon". BBC Sport. 7 January 2010. Retrieved 9 May 2011.
  12. ^ "Walsall 1–2 Brighton". BBC Sport. 16 January 2010. Retrieved 9 May 2011.
  13. ^ "Charlton 1–2 Brighton". BBC Sport. 23 February 2010. Retrieved 9 May 2011.
  14. ^ "Gus Poyet withdraws contract offer to Inigo Calderon". BBC Sport. 8 May 2010. Retrieved 9 May 2011.
  15. ^ "Calderon agrees Saints switch". Sky Sports. 9 May 2010. Retrieved 9 May 2010.
  16. ^ Camillin, Paul (10 June 2010). "Calderon signs three-year deal". Brighton & Hove Albion F.C. Archived from the original on 13 June 2010. Retrieved 10 June 2010.
  17. ^ Szczepanik, Nick (12 April 2011). "Brighton's Ashley Barnes sees off Dagenham to start promotion party". The Guardian. Retrieved 18 March 2020.
  18. ^ a b Burton, Ryan (11 March 2017). "The last Brighton and Hove Albion promotion winning XI". Here Is The City. Archived from the original on 18 March 2020. Retrieved 18 March 2020.
  19. ^ "Inigo Calderon, a Brighton player like no other". We Are Brighton. 6 January 2020. Retrieved 18 March 2020.
  20. ^ "Brighton defender Inigo Calderon signs new contract". BBC Sport. 8 July 2011. Retrieved 18 March 2020.
  21. ^ "Brighton 2–0 Bristol City". BBC Sport. 14 January 2012. Retrieved 18 March 2020.
  22. ^ Hilsum, James (21 April 2015). "Calderon is named Albion's Player of the Season". Brighton & Hove Albion F.C. Archived from the original on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 27 May 2015.
  23. ^ "Iñigo Calderón Zapatería για 1+1 χρόνια!" [Iñigo Calderón Zapatería for 1+1 years!] (in Greek). Anorthosis Famagusta. 9 July 2016. Retrieved 12 July 2016.
  24. ^ "Indian Super League: Chennaiyin FC sign Spanish defender Inigo Calderon". Hindustan Times. 19 July 2017. Retrieved 19 July 2017.
  25. ^ Owen, Brian (7 March 2019). "Albion legend Inigo Calderon moves into coaching at Alaves". The Argus. Retrieved 6 May 2020.
  26. ^ "Inigo Calderon: 'I had a tactics board when I was 13 – it's great to be back at Brighton'". The Athletic. 13 July 2023. Retrieved 23 December 2024.
  27. ^ Camillin, Paul (26 June 2023). "Inigo Calderon returns as under-18s head coach". Brighton & Hove Albion F.C. Retrieved 20 February 2024.
  28. ^ "Iñigo Calderón appointed Bristol Rovers Head Coach". www.bristolrovers.co.uk. 26 December 2024. Retrieved 26 December 2024.
  29. ^ Morris, Richard (8 August 2014). "Iñigo Calderón: The player who is a star on – and off – the pitch". Brighton & Hove Independent. Archived from the original on 19 September 2014. Retrieved 11 August 2014.
  30. ^ a b c d e f g h i "Calderón: Iñigo Calderón Zapatería". BDFutbol. Retrieved 25 December 2017.
  31. ^ "Games played by Iñigo Calderón in 2009/2010". Soccerbase. Centurycomm.
  32. ^ "Games played by Iñigo Calderón in 2010/2011". Soccerbase. Centurycomm.
  33. ^ "Games played by Iñigo Calderón in 2011/2012". Soccerbase. Centurycomm.
  34. ^ "Games played by Iñigo Calderón in 2012/2013". Soccerbase. Centurycomm.
  35. ^ "Games played by Iñigo Calderón in 2013/2014". Soccerbase. Centurycomm.
  36. ^ "Games played by Iñigo Calderón in 2014/2015". Soccerbase. Centurycomm.
  37. ^ "Games played by Iñigo Calderón in 2015/2016". Soccerbase. Centurycomm.
  38. ^ a b c d "Inigo Calderon". Soccerway. Retrieved 25 December 2017.
  39. ^ Rollin, Glenda; Rollin, Jack, eds. (2011). Sky Sports Football Yearbook 2011–2012. London: Headline Publishing Group. pp. 39, 104–105. ISBN 978-0-7553-6231-8.
  40. ^ "Spurs' Gareth Bale wins PFA player of the year award". BBC Sport. 17 April 2011. Retrieved 24 May 2018.
  41. ^ Nair, Rohith (21 September 2018). "ISL 2018–19: Inigo Calderon wants to prove that even 36-year-olds can get new contracts". Sportskeeda. Retrieved 18 March 2020.
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