Born in Rentería, Gipuzkoa, Zamora played his entire professional career with local club Real Sociedad.

After a slow 1974–75 (nine games) he went on to make a further 446 La Liga appearances in the next 14 years, being an instrumental figure alongside the likes of namesake Jesús María Satrústegui.

[1] Zamora's finest hour as a player undoubtedly came in the last game (and literally the last second) of the 1980–81 season, as he scored the tying goal at Sporting de Gijón, giving the Basques the needed point to clinch the league title at the expense of Real Madrid, whose players were already celebrating after a 3–1 away win against Real Valladolid, only to be told about Zamora's feat over a radio broadcast.

However, after another legendary teammate, José Mari Bakero, was relieved of his general manager duties by him, in late 2006, the season ended in relegation, the first in 40 years, and Zamora too resigned.

[5] He took part in the UEFA Euro 1980 and 1982 FIFA World Cup finals, retiring after the 0–0 draw against England on 5 July 1982, in the latter competition – this would also be longtime clubmate Satrústegui's last match.