Born in Sagunto, Valencian Community, Navarro was a product of local giants Valencia CF's youth ranks. During the course of six seasons he appeared sporadically for the 2002 and 2004 champions of La Liga; in addition, he added a rare goal on 26 February 2004, in a UEFA Cup win over Beşiktaş JK, as the Che eventually emerged victorious in the tournament. On 6 March 2007, Navarro sparked an on-pitch melee that occurred during a UEFA Champions Leaguetie against Inter Milan. Navarro, who had spent the match on the bench as an unused substitute, ran onto the pitch as the brawl began with an exchange of words and what appeared to be a kick by fellow defender Carlos Marchena at Inter counterpart Nicolás Burdisso. On the pitch he punched Burdisso in the face, breaking the Argentine's nose, while he was being held back by his teammates, then proceeded to run away, chased by opposing players Iván Córdoba, Julio Cruz and Maicon all the way to the tunnel. As the scuffles continued on the field, Navarro sought refuge in the Valencia dressing room. Inter goalkeeper Francesco Toldo entered the Valencia dressing room to confront the Spaniard, while Inter players Esteban Cambiasso and Luís Figo argued with the security personnel that tried to prevent them from entering the Valencia dressing room too. On 7 March 2007, UEFA charged Marchena and Navarro, as well as Burdisso, Córdoba and Maicon, with "gross unsporting conduct." Navarro later apologised for his involvement in the incident, stating he was "very sorry and ashamed" for his actions and also noted he would contact Burdisso to apologise. The following week, after reviewing video evidence of the brawl, UEFA suspended Navarro for seven months from European football ; on the 20th, after several appeals to FIFA to allow the ban to cover both domestic and international games, he had his ban applied to all games, ending with the closure of the 2006–07 campaign. In 2007–08, Navarro spent one year-long loan at RCD Mallorca, where he was used as a backup, appearing in 18 games and returning to Valencia in June 2008 only to be immediately loaned again to the Balearic Islands side until the end of the following season, where he now featured prominently – 29 matches – scoring in a 2–3 home loss to Recreativo de Huelva on 7 December 2008. Navarro subsequently returned to Valencia for 2009–10, going on to serve as club captain after replacing longtime incumbent David Albelda, but eventually being stripped of that honour by the same manager, Unai Emery. During the campaign he contributed with two goals in 19 games, all as starter, as the team finished third and qualified to the Champions League.
