Antonio Calle


Antonio Sánchez de la Calle, known as Calle, is a Spanish retired footballer who played as a striker.
He amassed Segunda División totals of 258 matches and 70 goals over ten seasons, representing in the competition Xerez, Recreativo, Albacete, Gimnàstic, Girona and Valladolid. He competed in La Liga with the second club, in 2006–07.

Football career

Having spent his early years playing mostly in the Madrid area, including stints with Rayo Vallecano and Atlético Madrid's reserve teams, Calle signed in January 2002 with Segunda División side Xerez CD, where his impressive scoring rate attracted the attention of neighbours Recreativo de Huelva, which signed him for the 2004–05 season.
After having scored twice in La Liga in his first top level experience, Calle was deemed surplus to requirements and finished the campaign in the second level with Albacete Balompié, having another good individual record. In 2007–08 he played with Gimnàstic de Tarragona, returning the following season to Xerez on loan and contributing with eight goals in 1,523 minutes as the Andalusians achieved a first-ever top flight promotion.
After the August 2009 transfer window had closed, Calle moved to Girona FC also in the second level. Thus, he had to wait until January of the following year to appear officially for his new team.
Calle stayed in division two for the 2010–11 campaign, with the 31-year-old signing for Real Valladolid in the summer and moving in January 2011 to former club Albacete. He subsequently represented UD Socuéllamos and CP Villarrobledo, and announced his retirement on 21 June 2017.