A product of Real Sociedad's youth system, he appeared sparingly for the first team in his first two seasons as a professional but went on to become an important element for the Basque club,[2] scoring five La Liga goals in 33 games in the 2003–04 campaign.

[3] In 2006, Gabilondo moved to local rivals Athletic Bilbao on a free transfer,[4] producing roughly the same numbers in his first two seasons (59 matches and seven goals).

[5] Gabilondo was used sparingly in 2008–09,[6] but the 30-year-old regained his importance the following year, netting three times during the season, two of those coming in 4–1 home victories over CD Tenerife and UD Almería[7][8]– his side finished eighth.

He equalled a career-best five goals, either from free kicks or long-distance shots,[9][10][11][12] also scoring in a 2–0 home defeat of AD Alcorcón in that campaign's Copa del Rey (3–0 on aggregate).

[15][16] On 10 July 2012, aged 33, Gabilondo moved abroad for the first time in his career, signing for one year with an option for a further season with AEK Larnaca FC in the Cypriot First Division and rejoining his former Athletic teammate Ander Murillo.