| José Antonio Caro | |
| Fullname: | José Antonio Caro Martínez |
| Birth Date: | 8 March 1993 |
| Birth Place: | Estepa, Spain |
| Position: | Centre-back |
| Currentclub: | Melilla |
| Clubnumber: | 16 |
| Youthclubs1: | Estepa Industrial |
| Youthclubs2: | Betis |
| Years1: | 2012–2015 |
| Caps1: | 75 |
| Goals1: | 4 |
| Years2: | 2013–2016 |
| Caps2: | 8 |
| Goals2: | 0 |
| Years3: | 2015–2016 |
| Clubs3: | → Elche (loan) |
| Caps3: | 22 |
| Goals3: | 0 |
| Years4: | 2016–2018 |
| Caps4: | 52 |
| Goals4: | 5 |
| Years5: | 2018–2020 |
| Caps5: | 39 |
| Goals5: | 1 |
| Years6: | 2020–2022 |
| Caps6: | 5 |
| Goals6: | 0 |
| Years7: | 2022 |
| Caps7: | 10 |
| Goals7: | 0 |
| Years8: | 2022–2023 |
| Caps8: | 33 |
| Goals8: | 1 |
| Years9: | 2023– |
| Caps9: | 24 |
| Goals9: | 1 |
| Club-Update: | 11 April 2024 |
José Antonio Caro Martínez (born 8 March 1993) is a Spanish professional footballer who plays as a central defender for UD Melilla.
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]