Iñigo Calderón


Íñigo Calderón Zapatería is a Spanish former professional footballer who played as a right-back, and the current assistant manager of Deportivo Alavés B.
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.

Club career

Spain

Born in Vitoria-Gasteiz, Álava, Basque Country, Calderón started his professional career with Alicante CF in 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.
In 2007, he moved to Deportivo Alavés, playing in two Segunda División seasons – often serving as team captain – and suffering relegation in his second year.

Brighton & Hove Albion

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 season. He made his debut nine days later in a 2–1 win at Walsall, and scored his first goal for the Seagulls in another away fixture, against Charlton Athletic on 23 February.
Calderón's offer of a new contract at Brighton was withdrawn after he agreed to join League One rivals Southampton in May 2010. However, on 10 June, the player signed a new three-year deal with Brighton, with manager Gus Poyet claiming "Calde is a quality player and was always our first-choice right-back...".
Calderón scored eight goals in the 2010–11 season, including a first-half strike in the 4–3 victory over Dagenham & Redbridge that helped Albion secure promotion to the Championship. He subsequently signed a one-year extension to his contract, keeping him at the club until 2014.
Calderón netted his first goal of 2011–12 in the 2–0 home defeat of Bristol City – a thunderous drive from 25 yards. He appeared predominantly as a right midfielder in 2014–15, scoring four times and being subsequently voted player of the season.

Later years

On 9 July 2016, aged 34, free agent Calderón signed a one-year contract with Cypriot First Division club Anorthosis Famagusta FC. On 19 July 2017, he switched to the Indian Super League with Chennaiyin FC.
Calderon returned to Alavés immediately after retiring, as assistant coach to the reserves.

Personal life

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

Career statistics

Club

Honours

Brighton & Hove Albion
Chennaiyin
Individual