Born in El Bosque, Cádiz, René made his senior debut with local Arcos CF in the 2002–03 season.

In the following years, René continued competing in the third division and his native Andalusia, representing Betis Deportivo Balompié (being named to the first team's substitutes bench on three occasions), Unión Estepona CF[1] and CP Cacereño.

In July 2012 he joined fellow third-tier FC Cartagena,[2] being released the following month[3] and remaining a free agent until January 2013, when he moved to Barakaldo CF.

[5] On 11 September, aged 29, he appeared in his first professional match, a 1–0 home win against CD Numancia in the second round of the Copa del Rey.

[9] René contributed 21 appearances during the season, sharing starting duties with Yassine Bounou as the Catalan club achieved promotion to La Liga for the first time ever.