 Save for a very brief loan spell with CD Guadalajara in the third division he spent his entire 14-year professional career with Atlético Madrid, making his La Liga debut on 4 January 1959 in a 0–1 away loss against Real Oviedo and finishing his first season with only nine games (albeit all complete).From there onwards, Calleja became an important defensive member for the "Colchoneros", helping the team to back-to-back Copa del Rey trophies from 1959 to 1961, both won against Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium.In the 1961–62 European Cup Winners' Cup, which also ended in conquest, he contributed with nine appearances.