| Darren Caldeira | |
| Birth Date: | 19 September 1987[1] |
| Birth Place: | Mumbai (Bombay), India[2] |
| Currentclub: | Bengaluru FC (director of football) |
| Position: | Central midfielder |
| Youthclubs1: | Mahindra United |
| Youthyears2: | 2005 |
| Youthclubs2: | Valencia C.F. |
| Years1: | 2010–2011 |
| Clubs1: | Air India |
| Caps1: | 7 |
| Goals1: | 6 |
| Years2: | 2011–2013 |
| Clubs2: | Mumbai |
| Caps2: | 10 |
| Goals2: | 7 |
| Years3: | 2013–2015 |
| Clubs3: | Bengaluru FC |
| Caps3: | 11 |
| Goals3: | 3 |
| Years4: | 2015–2016 |
| Clubs4: | Mumbai FC |
| Caps4: | 6 |
| Goals4: | 3 |
| Years5: | 2016–2017 |
| Clubs5: | Bengaluru FC |
| Caps5: | 3 |
| Goals5: | 2 |
| Years6: | 2017 |
| Clubs6: | Chennai City FC |
| Caps6: | 9 |
| Goals6: | 4 |
| Years7: | 2017–2018 |
| Clubs7: | ATK |
| Caps7: | 3 |
| Goals7: | 1 |
| Years8: | 2018–2019 |
| Clubs8: | Mohun Bagan |
| Caps8: | 13 |
| Goals8: | 0 |
| Years9: | 2019–2020 |
| Clubs9: | Kerala Blasters |
| Caps9: | 1 |
| Goals9: | 0 |
| Club-Update: | 24 July 2019 |
Darren Caldeira (born 19 September 1987) is an Indian former professional association footballer who played as a central midfielder. He is currently serving as director of football for Bengaluru FC.[3] Caldeira has also worked as a commentator in the Indian Super League for Star Sports.
Born in Mumbai, Maharashtra, India, Caldeira spent his youth career with Mahindra United. He later spent a year with the under-18 team of Spanish La Liga side Valencia CF.[4] [5] Then in 2010, after Mahindra United disbanded, Caldeira signed with Air India FC of the I-League.[2] After spending two seasons with Air India Caldeira signed with Mumbai FC.[2]
In July 2013, it was announced that Caldeira had signed with new direct-entry side Bengaluru FC.[6] He then made his debut for the side on 29 September 2013 against Rangdajied United F.C. in which he started and played the full 90 minutes as Bengaluru won the match 3–0.[7]
He was signed by Bengaluru FC again in August 2016 for a four-months deal, and was released by the club in November 2016.[8]
In 2015, Caldeira signed for Mumbai FC
In 2017, Caldeira was signed by new I-League entrant Chennai City FC and made his first appearance for the club as a substitute in the first game against Minerva Punjab F.C.
In September 2017 he joined ATK of Indian Super League. This was his first ever stint in ISL.[9] He didn't really have an ideal season for ATK and couldn't do anything to turn around their disappointing campaign. He was given a lot of opportunities by manager Ashley Westwood and even though he did well to keep things moving in midfield, he lacked an attacking spark.
In July 2018 it was announced that Mohun Bagan have signed caldeira for the upcoming Calcutta Football League & I-League seasons.[10]
In 2019, Caldeira was signed by Indian Super League side Kerala Blasters. He was affected by a sports injury, and only made one appearance during the season. At the age of 33, he retired from professional on 31 December 2020.[11]
| Club | Season | League | Federation Cup | Durand Cup | AFC | Total | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | |||
| Bengaluru FC | 2013–14 | 15 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 16 | 0 | |
| 2014–15 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| Mumbai FC | 2015–16 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | |
| Bengaluru FC | 2016–17 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Career total | 17 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 18 | 0 | ||