After graduating from Atlético Madrid's youth system, he made his debut as a senior with its C side in 2005, in the Tercera División.

On 3 September 2008 he made his first-team debut, coming on as a substitute in a 3–1 away win against SD Huesca in the second round of the Copa del Rey.

[2] He made his debut with the main squad on 5 May of the following year, playing the last 13 minutes in a 0–0 La Liga away draw with Athletic Bilbao.

[4] After appearing rarely during the season, he was transferred to Segunda División club Sporting de Gijón, signing a two-year deal.

[8] After achieving promotion in his second season as champions,[9] he scored a career-best 13 times in the following for an eighth-place finish, ten of those coming from penalties.