 Abreu re-signed with River Plate in September 2008 after terminating his link with Beitar, with a deal lasting until June 2009.Due to a being a late addition, he was not able to play for the side in the Primera División, only featuring in the Copa Sudamericana; the next year, he was eligible for both the domestic and Copa Libertadores fronts.In early January 2009, Abreu returned to Spain after a ten-year absence, being loaned by River to second level side Real Sociedad, which had lost habitual first-choice Iñigo Díaz de Cerio for the season due to a serious leg injury.