 After a successful surgery, the club medical's staff nonetheless stated that the recovery would be "very slow", and the player was expected to miss the vast majority of the campaign.In late June 2009, Díaz de Cerio switched to neighbours Athletic Bilbao on a four-year deal after his Real contract had just expired.He returned to action almost one year after his injury (5 November 2009), playing 30 minutes in a 1–1 draw at C.D.