Former Bayern Munich striker Gerd Muller has passed away aged 75, the club have confirmed.
During 15 years in the Bavarian capital, Muller netted a record 365 goals in 427 Bundesliga games and 66 goals in 74 European matches.
Up until earlier this year, he held the record for the most goals scored in a single Bundesliga campaign (40). Robert Lewandowski eclipsed that figure with 41 goals last season.
At international level, the striker scored 68 goals in 62 appearances for West Germany, including the winning goal in the 1974 World Cup final against Holland.
He is widely regarded as one of the greatest marksmen of all time.
Bayern said on Twitter: “FC Bayern are mourning the passing of Gerd Müller. The FC Bayern world is standing still today.
“The club and all its fans are mourning the death of Gerd Müller, who passed away on Sunday morning at the age of 75.”
Herbert Hainer, the Bayern president, said of Muller’s passing: “Today is a sad, dark day for FC Bayern and all its fans. Gerd Müller was the greatest striker there’s ever been, and a fine person and character of world football.
“We’re all united in deep mourning with his wife Uschi as well as his family. FC Bayern wouldn’t be the club we all love today without Gerd Müller. His name and memory will live on forever.”
CEO Oliver Kahn added: “The news of Gerd Müller’s death deeply saddens us all. He’s one of the greatest legends in the history of FC Bayern, his achievements are unrivalled to this day and will forever be a part of the great history of FC Bayern and all of German football.
“As a player and a person, Gerd Müller stands for FC Bayern and its development into one of the biggest clubs in the world like no other. Gerd will forever be in our hearts.”
Muller joined Bayern in 1964 and went on to win the Intercontinental Cup, three European Cups and a European Cup Winners’ Cup. He also won the Bundesliga and DFB Cup four times each.
The final two years of Muller’s career were spent at Fort Lauderdale Strikers, the former American side.
Source:Football365