[1] Fernández began his playing career in early 2000 with local club Defensor Taller de Laredo.

His debut match was played at home in the Mansiche Stadium against Coronel Bolognesi, which ended in a 4–0 loss for Coopsol Trujillo.

[2] José Carlos scored his first official goal in the Descentralizado on 1 December 2002 in a league match against Alianza Atlético in round 21 of the Clausura season.

Then in 2003 he joined Lima based club Sport Coopsol, which at the time was participating in the Peruvian Second Division.

First with the Ukrainian team FC Chornomorets Odesa, where he stayed 4 months, playing in 2 games and totaling 19 minutes.