By 1987, he was Sestao's first choice keeper, a position he held until 1990, when he joined fellow Segunda División side Deportivo La Coruña.
[4] Josu made his top flight debut on 2 February 1992 in a home fixture against Valencia at Estadio Riazor.
[6] However, the predominance of Liaño meant that Josu made only 13 appearances in two La Liga campaigns before leaving the club in 1993.
He spent the following season as first choice at Segunda División side Cádiz, who suffered a second consecutive relegation, and 1994–95 with fellow second tier team Atlético Marbella.
[2] Josu returned to La Liga with Salamanca ahead of the 1995–96 campaign,[2] but played only two matches, with Iñaki Aizpurua preferred as first choice keeper.