Juan CALICCHIO

Juan Francesco Calicchio was an Argentinean player who was born in Buenos Aires and began playing in his home country in 1943. Calicchio was an elegant and very adept attacking player, and he headed off to Italy in 1948 to sign for Sampdoria Genoa. He wouldn't play much there, so he left for Empoli for three seasons. Advised by his compatriot, Carlos Volante, who played for Stade Rennais University Club between 1934-1935, he signed for Rennes for the 1951/1952, notably after ending unconclusive trials with Lyon and Saint-Etienne. With Rennes, Calicchio was mostly deployed on the right wing for their attack, but also occasionally as centre-forward. He would score 12 goals in 29 matches in the First Division for the club. Having spent a season in Red and Black, he continued his French stay at Red Star in Paris, spending two seasons there, before joining Rouen for a season. He ended his playing career with Coimbra in Portugal, where he would eventually become First Team Manager.