Fernando Calero

Fernando Calero Villa (born 14 September 1995) is a Spanish professional footballer who plays as a centre-back for La Liga club Espanyol.

Fernando Calero

Calero with Valladolid in 2019
Personal information
Full name	Fernando Calero Villa
Date of birth	(1995-09-14) 14 September 1995 (age 29)
Place of birth	Boecillo, Spain
Height	1.83 m (6 ft 0 in)
Position(s)	Centre-back
Team information
Current team	Espanyol
Number	5
Youth career
2004–2011	Valladolid
2011–2014	Málaga
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2014–2016	Málaga B	64	(2)
2016–2017	Valladolid B	37	(1)
2017–2019	Valladolid	59	(2)
2019–	Espanyol	130	(5)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 27 May 2025

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

Club career

Malaga

Calero playing for Málaga CF in 2012.

Calero was born in Boecillo, Valladolid, Castile and León, and finished his formation with Málaga CF. He made his senior debut with the reserves on 9 March 2014, starting in a 2–1 Tercera División home win against Loja CD.^[1]

Calero scored his first senior goal on 31 January 2015, netting the first in a 2–2 away draw against UD Maracena.^[2]

Valladolid

On 23 June of the following year he joined Real Valladolid, club he already represented as a youth, being initially assigned to the B-team in Segunda División B.^[3] In his only season with the side, he was an undisputed starter, scoring once in 37 appearances.

On 8 August 2017, Calero was definitely promoted to the main squad in Segunda División by manager Luis César Sampedro, being handed the number 5 jersey.^[4] He made his professional debut on 6 September, coming on as a substitute for fellow youth graduate Ángel in a 2–0 away win against SD Huesca, for the season's Copa del Rey.^[5]

On 15 November 2017, Calero renewed his contract until 2021.^[6] He scored his first professional goal the following 27 May, in a 2–3 away loss against Real Zaragoza,^[7] and featured regularly during the campaign as his side achieved promotion to La Liga.

Calero made his debut in the main category of Spanish football on 17 August 2018, starting in a 0–0 away draw against Girona FC.^[8]

Espanyol

On 9 August 2019, Calero agreed to a five-year contract with Espanyol for a reported fee of €8 million. His release clause was set at €40 million.^[9]

Career statistics

Club

As of 23 June 2024^[10][11]

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition

Club	Season	League			Copa del Rey		Europe		Other		Total
		Division	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
Valladolid Β	2016–17	Segunda División B	37	1	—		—		—		37	1
Valladolid	2017–18	Segunda División	23	1	4	0	—		4[a]	1	31	2
	2018–19	La Liga	36	1	0	0	—		—		36	1
	Total		59	2	4	0	0	0	4	1	67	3
Espanyol	2019–20	La Liga	15	0	2	0	7	0	—		24	0
	2020–21	Segunda División	28	1	3	0	—		—		31	1
	2021–22	La Liga	16	0	2	0	—		—		18	0
	2022–23		27	0	2	0	—		—		29	0
	2023–24	Segunda División	23	3	2	0	—		4[b]	0	29	3
	Total		109	4	11	0	7	0	4	0	131	4
Career total			205	7	15	0	7	0	8	1	235	8

1. Four appearances and one goal in 2018 Segunda División play-offs
2. Four appearances in 2024 Segunda División play-offs