 An unsuccessful graduate of Real Madrid's youth system, he went on to make his professional debut with Zamora CF, spending most of his early career in the Segunda División B.In the 2005–06 season, Cifu joined Real Sociedad for €450.000, making his La Liga debut on 21 September 2005 and playing the full 90 minutes in the 3–2 home win over Atlético Madrid.Never an important element for the Basques he would be loaned, in January 2007, to Segunda División club SD Ponferradina, and he scored once for his new team, in a 3–3 away draw against UD Salamanca – who led 3–0 at the hour mark – on 1 April; Ponferradina would be, however, relegated.