 Fifteen months after the lawsuit began, a judge ruled that Athletic had to pay Real Sociedad €5 million, and were granted permission to field Zubiaurre for the 2006–07 campaign.He was presented for a second time at San Mamés Stadium on 16 November 2006, and was given the number 12 shirt.On 11 February 2007, Zubiaurre played his first La Liga match for Athletic, appearing against Atlético Madrid as a substitute in a 0–1 away defeat.