According to César Luis Merlo, Independiente have announced the arrival of Franco Calderón. Universidad de Chile loaned the player for 18 months with a loan fee of USD 120,000 and a purchase option of USD 1.2 million for 80%.

Franco Calderón, a 28-year-old Argentinian centre-back from Universidad de Chile, is set to join Independiente on an initial six-month loan that can be extended to a year. Calderón has agreed to the deal, which involves a loan fee of 120,000 USD and an option for Independiente to purchase 80% of his rights for 1.2 million USD. The club, which developed the player at Unión de Santa Fe, is signing him to strengthen a central defense depleted by injuries. The club was able to do this outside the transfer window by using a spot granted due to an injury to another player. Calderón joined Universidad de Chile in January 2024 and holds a contract until the end of 2027. His current Transfermarkt market value is €1.20m, and he has made 12 appearances in the 2025/2026 Liga Primera season.