Pepe Reina
With the signing of Pepe Reina in 2002 and the subsequent arrival of imports Sebastián Viera and Mariano Barbosa, however, López Vallejo was consecutively demoted to backup and third-choice. In order to search more playing opportunities he joined fellow league team Recreativo de Huelva on loan for the 2006–07 season, where he played the majority of the Andalusians' matches in that competition.