 An unsuccessful Real Madrid youth graduate, he made his professional debut with Pontevedra CF, playing with the Galicians one season in the second division and two in the third.In 2006–07, Cabrera was an important defensive weapon as UD Almería achieved a first–ever La Liga promotion.However, he was deemed surplus to requirements by coach Unai Emery, moving in January 2008 to Deportivo Alavés – now in the second level – where he suffered a terrible knee injury in his first game which made him lose the remainder of the campaign.