With the Basque team in Segunda División, González became an undisputed starter, appearing in 35 games in the 2009–10 campaign as Real returned to the top flight after a three-year absence[5] and contributing one goal, in a 2–1 home victory over Villarreal CF B.[6] He added 32 matches – 30 starts – the following year as the club retained its league status, but somewhat lost his importance in the squad following the January 2011 signing of Norwegian Vadim Demidov and the emergence of youth product Iñigo Martínez.[7]
González returned to starting duties in the following seasons,[8] alongside Martínez: he started in all his 34 league appearances in 2012–13 in more than 3.000 minutes of action, scoring against Rayo Vallecano (4–0, at home)[9] and Valencia CF (5–2 away win)[10] as the Txuriurdin finished fourth and returned to the UEFA Champions League after one decade.[11][2]
González made his debut in the Champions League on 17 September 2013, playing the full 90 minutes in a 0–2 group phase home loss to FC Shakhtar Donetsk.[12] He added a further four games in that stage of the competition, as his team ranked last.[11]
In April 2017, by now a backup member of the squad, González made his 300th appearance for Real Sociedad. It was his final match serving the club, with his contract not renewed on its expiry the following month.[13]
González terminated his contract on 8 July 2018.[17]
AEK Larnaca
On 3 July 2018, the 32-year-old González moved abroad for the first time in his career and joined Cypriot First Division club AEK Larnaca FC on a one-year contract.[18] He retired in May 2023.[2]
^López, Ángel (13 March 2012). "Se busca sustituto para Mikel González" [Replacement for Mikel González wanted]. Mundo Deportivo (in Spanish). Retrieved 28 August 2013.