Cristian Calderón set to make controversial move from Chivas to Liga MX rivals Club América

Matches between Liga MX duo Chivas and Club América are not known as “El Súper Clásico” for nothing, with the rivalry seen as one of the fiercest in Mexico and beyond. However, Las Águilas look set to make a shock move to sign a player from their old foes, namely Cristian Calderón.

Calderón out of contract after eventful Apertura 2023

The 26-year-old has been no stranger to controversy in recent times having been forced to sit out a couple of games in Liga MX’s Apertura 2023 tournament due to indiscipline. Calderón and Alexis Vega, as well as youth-team player Raúl Martínez, were banished from the first-team squad after reportedly sneaking women into the team hotel following Chivas’ 1-1 Liga MX draw away to Toluca on 1 October.

The left-back did return to the team after serving an internal two-match suspension but was not offered a new contract by incoming head coach Fernando Gago. He can now join any club, América included, as a free agent, reports ESPN.

Defender returns to Chivas team after internal ban

Calderón made 13 appearances for Chivas in the Apertura 2023 league phase, 11 of which came as a starter, setting up three goals from the left flank. He also featured in both legs of Guadalajara’s liguilla quarter-final against Pumas, which Los Universitarios won 3-1 on aggregate. “Chicote” set up the only goal for Fernando Beltrán in the first leg at Estadio Akron but couldn’t prevent his team from slumping to a heavy defeat in Mexico City.

Which players have played for both América and Chivas?

If the defender does ultimately sign for América, he would join the likes of Joel Sánchez, Ramón Ramírez, Oswaldo Sánchez, Jesús Molina, Javier Rodríguez and Oribe Peralta in playing for both sides of the divide.