 In the following summer he signed with Villarreal CF, being one of the reserves' most important defensive members as they reached, for the first time, the country's second level.On 30 August 2009, Kiko made his debut for the first team, playing 90 minutes in a 1–1 La Liga draw at CA Osasuna.In his second match, already in 2010, he was sent off after a late tackle on Valencia CF's David Villa – a penalty was also awarded, with the same player scoring – in a 1–4 away defeat.