Club América confirmed on 1 July that left back Cristian “Chicote” Calderón will spend the 2025-26 season on loan at Necaxa, ending an 18-month spell in which the 28-year-old helped the Mexico City club win consecutive Liga MX titles, a Campeón de Campeones and a Supercopa. Calderón logged 69 appearances, scored twice and provided two assists under coach André Jardine. In a farewell message the former Chivas player said he departs "as one more América fan," adding that the decision was out of his hands. América is now searching for a replacement on the left flank after talks for Atlético de San Luis defender Juan Manuel Sanabria stalled. Calderón returns to Necaxa, the club he represented in 2019, just as new manager Fernando Gago prepares the side for its Apertura opener on 12 July against Toluca. The defender’s first outing back proved difficult: he and Gago were loudly booed on 5 July during a 3-2 pre-season defeat to Chivas, the team Calderón once served and Gago left last year.