Province of Málaga
Born in Fuengirola, Province of Málaga, Juanito played as a youth with his local club before joining Atlético Madrid in 1969. While still underage, he allegedly forged his papers so he could play for the "Colchoneros"' under-18 team. He scored twice on his debut, but a fractured tibia ended his career at Atlético and he never played for the senior side.