 Born in Madrid, Clares played lower league football until the age of 23, representing Getafe Deportivo and CF Gandía.In March 1971 he signed with CD Castellón, scoring 13 goals in 36 games in his first full season to help the club return to La Liga after a 25-year absence.Clares made his debut in the Spanish top flight on 17 September 1972, in a 1–4 home loss against Athletic Bilbao.