 Born in Huelva, Andalusia, Juanma started his professional career with local Recreativo de Huelva in 1997.Two years later he signed for Atlético Madrid, but spent the vast majority of his stint with the B-team and left after one season for UD Salamanca, also in the second division; however, in January 2001, he signed for Racing de Santander, making his debut in La Liga on the 14th in a 0–1 home loss against Málaga CF.Juanma was manager Joaquín Caparrós' first signing for Deportivo de La Coruña when he joined in July 2005 from Racing in a free transfer.