Íñigo Calderón Zapatería (born 4 January 1982) is a Spanish former professional footballer who played as a right-back, currently manager of the under-18 team of Premier League club Brighton & Hove Albion. 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 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. In 2007, he moved to Deportivo Alavés (he had already represented its C and B sides early in his career), playing 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 campaign. 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 (also 2–1 victory), 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 Calderón's offer of a new contract at Brighton was withdrawn after he agreed to join League One rivals Southampton in May 2010.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 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...". 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. He subsequently signed a one-year extension, keeping him at the Falmer Stadium 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 joined Cypriot First Division club Anorthosis Famagusta FC on a one-year contract. On 19 July 2017, he switched to the Indian Super League with Chennaiyin FC. Calderon returned to Alavés immediately after retiring, as assistant manager to the reserves. He went back to Brighton Albion in June 2023, taking up the role of head coach at the under-18 squad.

Personal life

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

Career statistics

Honours

Brighton & Hove Albion Chennaiyin Individual