 On 7 April 2007, he scored the game's only goal in a home win against Valencia CF.Gabilondo was sparingly played in 2008–09, but the 30-year-old regained his importance in the following year, netting three times during the season, two of those coming in 4–1 home triumphs against CD Tenerife and UD Almería– Athletic finished eighth.In 2010–11, veteran Gabilondo was regularly used by Athletic Bilbao, alternating between the starting XI and the substitutes bench.