In December 1986, the forward, who idolised the direct play of Denmark international Preben Elkjær, signed for La Liga club Real Valladolid.
[4] This brace was scored against Soviet international Rinat Dasayev, one of the most renowned goalkeepers of the era; Alberto said that manager Vicente Cantatore, who had built a squad of young players, convinced him not to fear the opponent.
[7] In 1991–92, a Valladolid side that had already lost key player Fernando Hierro to Real Madrid and manager Vicente Cantatore to Sevilla FC suffered relegation and ended its longest La Liga streak of 12 seasons.
[6] In July 1995, Alberto moved to Racing Santander on a three-year deal, for an estimated fee of 65 million Spanish pesetas (around £340,000).
Aided by his experience despite with less pace than before, he remained at the club until 2001, closing out his career with two sides also in Castile and León: CD Numancia of the second tier and Palencia CF in the Tercera División.