After making over 100 lower-division appearances in his early career, he spent a decade as a squad member with La Liga clubs Athletic Bilbao and RCD Espanyol but was rarely selected, instead becoming known as a dependable backup to the regular starters who missed very few matches; he was easily recognisable in his habitual place on the substitutes' bench due to his large moustache.
[1][2] Clemente, who had also joined Athletic and moved up through the youths and reserves, became head coach in 1981 and immediately installed Andoni Zubizarreta as the starter ahead of both Cedrún and Meléndez[2] – Zubi would barely miss a match in the next five years (and would go on to become the all-time appearance record holder in Spanish football) as Athletic won two La Liga titles and a Copa del Rey, Meléndez remaining on the sidelines as a trusted alternative which proved not to be needed.
[1] Clemente was dismissed by Athletic in January 1986 and was appointed by RCD Espanyol five months later, quickly moving to sign Meléndez who was now unwanted in Bilbao even though Zubizarreta had also departed.
[1] Any chances Meléndez had of replacing the Espanyol incumbent Thomas N'Kono diminished when he contracted hepatitis causing him to miss his first preseason with his new teammates, and he had to settle for a backup role again.
[1][2] His most notable appearances came during the Pericos' run to the 1988 UEFA Cup final when N'Kono was injured, and in the 1989–90 Segunda División promotion play-off (after their relegation in the previous campaign which had seen Clemente sacked) in which he saved a penalty in the shootout victory over CD Málaga.