 He finally settled at Eibar in Segunda División – his second spell – and, in the 2004–05 season, as club captain, led the side to a fourth place in the league, with chances of an historic La Liga promotion until the last matchday.Garitano would soon make his first top flight appearances with Real Sociedad, already aged 30, his debut coming on 27 August 2005 in a 0–3 away defeat in the Basque derby.After three seasons in San Sebastián, during which he was an important first-team member but endured relegation in 2007, he joined neighbours Deportivo Alavés, retiring in June 2009 at 34 after their descent into the third division.