José Antonio Caro Martínez (born 8 March 1993) is a Spanish professional footballer who plays as a central defender for UD Melilla.
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | José Antonio Caro Martínez | ||
| Date of birth | 8 March 1993 | ||
| Place of birth | Estepa, Spain | ||
| Height | 1.82 m (5 ft 11+1⁄2 in) | ||
| Position(s) | Centre-back | ||
| Team information | |||
Current team | Melilla | ||
| Number | 16 | ||
| Youth career | |||
| Estepa Industrial | |||
| Betis | |||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2012–2015 | Betis B | 75 | (4) |
| 2013–2016 | Betis | 8 | (0) |
| 2015–2016 | → Elche (loan) | 22 | (0) |
| 2016–2018 | Córdoba | 52 | (5) |
| 2018–2020 | Albacete | 39 | (1) |
| 2020–2022 | Osijek | 5 | (0) |
| 2022 | UCAM Murcia | 10 | (0) |
| 2022–2023 | Linares | 33 | (1) |
| 2023– | Melilla | 24 | (1) |
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 11 April 2024 | |||
Club career edit
Born in Estepa, Province of Seville, Caro played youth football for local Real Betis, and made his senior debut with the B team in the 2011–12 season, playing one game in the Segunda División B.
Caro appeared in his first competitive match with the Andalusians' main squad on 3 November 2013, coming on as a substitute for Damien Perquis in the 55th minute of a 3–2 La Liga away loss against Málaga CF.[1] He was handed his first start four days later, featuring the entire 1–0 win at Vitória S.C. in the group stage of the UEFA Europa League.[2]
On 21 August 2015, Caro was loaned to Segunda División club Elche CF in a season-long deal.[3] On 1 July of the following year, he terminated his contract with Betis[4] and signed a two-year deal with Córdoba CF hours later.[5] He scored his first goal as a professional on 8 October 2016, closing a 1–1 away draw with CD Numancia.[6]
On 27 July 2018, free agent Caro signed a two-year contract with Albacete Balompié, still in the second division.[7] He made 17 appearances in his debut campaign to help his side finish fourth,[8] netting in the 3–0 home victory over Córdoba on 2 September.[9]
Caro moved abroad for the first time in September 2020, joining NK Osijek of the Croatian First Football League on a three-year deal.[10] He returned to Spain and its third tier in the 2022 January transfer window, however, with UCAM Murcia CF.[11]
References edit
- ^ "Malaga 3–2 Real Betis". ESPN FC. 3 November 2013. Archived from the original on 30 December 2013. Retrieved 10 November 2013.
- ^ "Last-gasp Chuli sends Betis clear at the top". UEFA. 7 November 2013. Retrieved 10 November 2013.
- ^ "Caro se marcha cedido al Elche por una temporada" [Caro goes on loan to Elche for one season]. Mundo Deportivo (in Spanish). 21 August 2015. Retrieved 21 August 2015.
- ^ "José Antonio Caro queda desvinculado de la disciplina del Real Betis" [José Antonio Caro leaves Real Betis organisation] (in Spanish). Real Betis. 1 July 2016. Archived from the original on 6 July 2016. Retrieved 3 July 2016.
- ^ "Seis razones para seguir con nosotros" [Six reasons to remain with us] (in Spanish). Córdoba CF. 1 July 2016. Retrieved 3 July 2016.
- ^ "El Córdoba salva un punto y sigue en la zona noble" [Córdoba scrape one point and remain in the clear]. Marca (in Spanish). 8 October 2016. Retrieved 25 January 2022.
- ^ Sevilla, Juan Manuel (7 August 2018). "El Albacete presenta a los 'Caro'" [Albacete present the 'Caros']. Diario AS (in Spanish). Retrieved 2 September 2018.
- ^ Moreno, Juanfran (5 February 2020). "Fin al idilio de Luis Miguel Ramis y el Albacete" [End of love affair between Luis Miguel Ramis and Albacete]. Diari de Tarragona (in Spanish). Retrieved 25 January 2022.
- ^ Sevilla, Juan Manuel (2 September 2018). "El Albacete logra su primera victoria de la temporada" [Albacete get their first win of the season]. Diario AS (in Spanish). Retrieved 25 January 2022.
- ^ "El exbético José Antonio Caro ficha por el Osijek croata" [Former Betis man José Antonio Caro signs for Croatia's Osijek]. La Vanguardia (in Spanish). 9 September 2020. Retrieved 25 January 2022.
- ^ "Caro refuerza la zaga universitaria" [Caro bolsters university back line] (in Spanish). UCAM Murcia. 20 January 2022. Retrieved 25 January 2022.
External links edit
- José Antonio Caro at BDFutbol
- José Antonio Caro at Futbolme (in Spanish)
- Beticopedia profile (in Spanish)
- José Antonio Caro at Soccerway