Born in Pamplona, Navarre, Lacruz's professional career began in 1994 with hometown side CA Osasuna in the Segunda División, making his first appearance for the main squad aged just 17,[1] and in 1997 he joined Athletic Bilbao, where he made his La Liga debut in a 1–0 home win against Atlético Madrid on 13 September.
After 251 official matches with Athletic – five in the 1998–99 edition of the UEFA Champions League[3][4]– Lacruz moved to RCD Espanyol in summer 2006 for €300,000 on a three-year contract, reuniting with his former manager Ernesto Valverde.
[5] His first competitive appearance took place on 17 August in a 0–1 home loss to FC Barcelona in the Supercopa de España,[6] and he scored his first goal for his new team against A.S. Livorno Calcio in a UEFA Cup fixture.
On 14 January 2010, after several months without a club, Lacruz signed for modest Real Unión on a free transfer, until the end of the second-division season, thus returning to the Basque Country.
[11] Lacruz was part of the Spain squad that won the silver medal at the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney, losing the final to Cameroon.