April 15 (Reuters) - Real ⁠Madrid great Jose Emilio Santamaria, a defender ⁠who won four European Cups with the ‌club, has died at the age of 96, the Spanish side announced on Wednesday.

The Uruguay international joined Madrid in 1957 ​and went on to lift ⁠one Intercontinental Cup, six ⁠La Liga titles and one Spanish Cup, making ⁠337 appearances ‌over nine seasons.

"Santamaria will always be remembered as one of the great ⁠symbols of our club. He was part ​of a ‌team that will remain in the memory of ⁠all madridistas ​and football fans worldwide," Real Madrid president Florentino Perez said in a statement.