Cala (footballer, born 1989)

Juan Torres Ruiz (born 26 November 1989), commonly known as Cala, is a Spanish professional footballer who plays for Getafe CF as a central defender.

Club career

Sevilla

Born in Lebrija, Seville, Andalusia, Cala finished his football formation at local giants Sevilla FC, making his professional debuts in the 2007–08 season for the reserve squad, Sevilla Atlético, which competed in Segunda División. On 9 December 2009, he made his first official appearance with the first team, playing 90 minutes against Rangers for the UEFA Champions League in a 1–0 group stage home win.

Cala would first appear in La Liga on 7 February 2010, again playing the entire game but now suffering a 1–2 defeat at Real Zaragoza. In a streak that started on 10 April at Málaga CF, he scored in three consecutive matches (two wins and one loss), which was a club record for a defender.

For the 2010–11 campaign, Cala was loaned to FC Cartagena. He was regularly used by the second level team during his spell, making his official debut on 11 September in a 5–1 home success over FC Barcelona B and finding the net in the game.

On 5 July 2011, Cala signed a one-year loan deal with AEK Athens FC. At the Greek side he reunited with former Sevilla boss – main squad and reserves – Manolo Jiménez, as well as teammate José Carlos. He played 21 official games during his tenure, scoring on 30 October to conclude a 3–0 home win over Aris F.C. for the Superleague Greece.

In late January 2012, Cala was recalled by Sevilla as a replacement for Juventus FC-bound Martín Cáceres. AEK received €60,000 in compensation. On 21 December 2013, he scored to open a 2–1 win at Villarreal CF, also being sent off when he fouled Jaume Costa for a penalty kick scored by Jérémy Perbet; he added eight complete appearances in the UEFA Europa League, which ended in conquest.

Cardiff City

On 7 February 2014, Cala signed for Premier League club Cardiff City on a two-and-a-half year contract, after terminating his link with Sevilla. He made his debut for his new team eight days later, playing the full 90 minutes in a 1–2 home loss against Wigan Athletic for the round-of-16 of the FA Cup; his maiden appearance in the league took place on the 22nd, but in another defeat at the Cardiff City Stadium, now at the hands of Hull City (0–4).

Cala scored his first goal for the Bluebirds on 15 March 2014, but in a 1–2 loss at Everton. His second came in an away triumph over Southampton on 12 April, as he hit from long range for the game's only goal; fifteen days later he was sent off for the first time in his Cardiff career, during a 0–4 away defeat to Sunderland.

Cala was released with immediate effect from his Cardiff contract on 3 December 2014, having only made one appearance in the Championship that season. He had previously complained via Twitter for being sent to train with the club's academy.

Granada / Getafe

After being strongly linked to Getafe CF, Cala signed a six-month contract with fellow league team Granada CF on 28 January 2015. On 28 May he was deemed suplus to requirements by new manager José Ramón Sandoval, and subsequently left the club.

On 25 June 2015, Cala agreed to a three-year deal with Getafe also in the top level. The following 4 January, he scored his first Spanish League goal in over two years, equalising in a 2–1 away win against Sporting de Gijón.

On 6 August 2016, Cala signed a season-long loan deal with FC Anzhi Makhachkala with an option of making the move permanent at the end of it. Seven days later he announced his return through Instagram, alleging personal problems; according to the Russian club's press release, he returned to Spain to care for his younger brother who was having health issues.

Club statistics

As of 15 May 2016

Honours

Sevilla

• UEFA Europa League: 2013–14