 De las Cuevas finally made his debut for the "Colchoneros" on 12 December 2007, playing the second half in a Copa del Rey away game against Granada 74 CF, in the round-of-32.He appeared in 13 La Liga matches in his first season after returning from injury, 12 as a substitute.On 25 June 2009, after producing slightly the same numbers with Atlético, de las Cuevas moved to fellow top level side Sporting de Gijón on a four-year deal – however, Atlético retained an option to rebuy in the first three.