 Born in Durango, Biscay, Basque Country, de Paula began his football career with lowly clubs in Badajoz as his family hailed from Olivenza (Extremadura).Being still a junior he signed with CD Badajoz, and made his professional debut midway through the 1992–93 campaign in Segunda División.At the beginning of 1995–96, de Paula moved back to his native region to play for La Liga side Real Sociedad.