In January 2006, Colunga was definitely released by Gijón and, after a spell in the fourth division and another in the third, joined UD Las Palmas of the Segunda División. He scored 13 league goals (second-best in the squad) in the 2007–08 campaign for a Canary Islands side that was threatened with relegation until the last month of competition.[1]
Colunga was then bought by Recreativo de Huelva in La Liga, in a four-year contract worth €2.7 million.[2] In his debut for the team, on 31 August 2008, he netted the game's only goal in an away win against Andalusia neighbours Real Betis.[3]
Alternating between starts and games from the bench in his first year, Colunga entered the club's history when he scored a penalty kick in a 4–1 loss at Deportivo de La Coruña on 21 December, his fourth consecutive game achieving the feat.[4] Spanish football pundit Guillem Balagué compared the player, in his weekly report of first division encounters, to Valencia CF's David Villa;[5] despite a first fruitful year individually, Recre ranked last.
On 23 January 2010, after experiencing personal problems in the new season at Recreativo, which included a confrontation with club fans,[6] Colunga was loaned to Real Zaragoza of the top flight until June.[7] He scored on his debut eight days later, a 3–1 away victory over CD Tenerife,[8] and finished the campaign as the team's top scorer in only four months of play, with the Aragonese finally escaping relegation.[9]
On 5 August 2010, Colunga was sold to Getafe CF as Kepa Blanco moved in the opposite direction.[10] He was loaned to Sporting Gijón in January 2012,[1] scoring three times in 13 starts during his short spell but suffering top-division relegation.
Following the appointment of Chris Hughton as new manager, Colunga found first-team opportunities difficult and, in the very last day of the 2015 January transfer window, joined Granada CF on a loan deal lasting until the end of the season, with the option of a permanent transfer in June.[16] However, after featuring rarely, he returned to Brighton and eventually had his contract terminated by mutual consent on 7 October.[17]
Colunga's contract was terminated by mutual agreement on 25 January 2018, after he refused to play second-fiddle to compatriot Coro.[21] Four days later, he announced his retirement.[22]