Born in
Santa Cruz de Tenerife,
Canary Islands, Santos started playing with local
CD Tenerife. He signed for
Real Zaragoza in March 1963, going on to spend nine of his ten seasons with the club in
La Liga and being part of an attacking frontline dubbed
Los Magníficos, which also featured
Canário,
Carlos Lapetra,
Marcelino and
Juan Manuel Villa. Nicknamed
Yeyo, Santos retired in 1975 aged 35 following a spell with
CD Tudelano of
Tercera División. ==International career==