Born in Laredo, Cantabria, Amavisca (whose father Emilio was also a footballer) made his professional breakthrough with Real Valladolid, achieving promotion from Segunda División in 1992–93, also serving a spell on loan to Lleida in the same level.

In the summer of 1994, he signed for La Liga giants Real Madrid, initially being deemed surplus to requirements but going on to score ten league goals in his debut season, mostly playing second striker to Iván Zamorano – both were initially seen as third or fourth-string attacking references by manager Jorge Valdano,[1] as the club ended a four-year domestic title drought.

[2] Subsequently, Amavisca moved to Deportivo de La Coruña for 300 million pesetas,[2] appearing in 28 games and netting three times for the 2002 runners-up but being sparingly used in the following two years, barred by veteran Fran and new signing Albert Luque.

After making his Spain debut on 7 September 1994, in an UEFA Euro 1996 qualifier against Cyprus (90 minutes, 2–1 away win),[4] Amavisca appeared in the tournament's final stages, playing four matches in an eventual quarter-final exit.

Due to having fallen out of favour at Real Madrid, he was overlooked for the squad at the 1998 FIFA World Cup.