 Luque split 2002–03 with RCD Espanyol and Elche CF, the former in the top flight.Subsequently, he joined Málaga CF (the first of his two spells), being rarely used over one and a half years and signing for Ciudad de Murcia in the 2005 winter transfer window.He scored a career-best 20 goals in his first full campaign as his side narrowly missed on top division promotion, being crowned joint-top scorer alongside Ikechukwu Uche of Recreativo de Huelva.