Born in Madrid, Nacho arrived in Real Madrid's youth system at the age of 11. He made his senior debuts in2008–09, playing two games with the reserves in Segunda División and subsequently appearing in a further two full seasons in the category.
On 23 April 2011 Nacho made his first-team – and La Liga – debut, starting as a left back in a 3–6 away win against Valencia CF, and playing in the entire match.[1] His second appearance came the following week, in a 2–3 home loss to Real Zaragoza.[2]
Nacho was one of the youth team players chosen to accompany the first team on their summer friendlies inNorth America, prior to the start of the 2011–12 season. He came on as a substitute in all three matches, against the Los Angeles Galaxy, C.D. Guadalajara and Philadelphia Union.
On 2 September 2012 main squad manager José Mourinho announced that Nacho, along with Álvaro Morata and Jesús, would be promoted to the first team, but continue to play with Castilla.[3][4]
