Tottenham and England legend Jimmy Greaves has died at the age of 81.

Greaves is Spurs’ record goalscorer and was also prolific at Chelsea and for England.

Tottenham announced that Jimmy Greaves had sadly died
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Greaves suffered a stroke in May 2015 which has left him wheelchair-bound and with severely impaired speech and Tottenham said he had died at home on Sunday morning.

The Premier League club said in a statement: “We are extremely saddened to learn of the passing of the great Jimmy Greaves, not just Tottenham’s record goalscorer but the finest marksman this country has ever seen. Jimmy passed away at home in the early hours of this morning, aged 81.

“Throughout his wonderful playing career, Jimmy’s strike rate was phenomenal. His Spurs return was 266 goals in 379 appearances between 1961 and 1970 – 220 goals in 321 league games, 32 goals in 36 FA Cup ties, five in just eight League Cup ties and nine in 14 European matches.”

Greaves was a prolific striker for both club and country
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His career began in the junior ranks at Chelsea and he turned professional in May 1957, scoring on his Blues debut and racking up 132 goals in total for the club.

He remained at Stamford Bridge until 1961, when he moved to AC Milan. After a single season in Milan he joined Spurs in 1961 to play in Bill Nicholson’s successful side.

Greaves became a Tottenham legend during his prolific nine seasons at White Hart Lane, helping them to win two FA Cup.

Greaves scored 44 goals for England
Getty – Contributor

A member of England’s 1966 World Cup-winning squad, although he did not feature in the final victory over West Germany, Greaves scored 44 goals across 57 senior appearances for the Three Lions.

Greaves wound down his playing career with stints at West Ham and Barnet before starring alongside former Liverpool striker Ian St John in the popular ITV programme ‘Saint and Greavsie’ between 1985 and 1992, which saw him become a popular pundit.

Greaves’ former club West Ham, where he spent one season from 1970-71, tweeted: “We are saddened to learn the news of the passing of Jimmy Greaves.

“The club sends its deepest condolences to Jimmy’s family and friends.”

Tributes have been paid to Greaves after his death aged 81

Former Manchester United and England defender Rio Ferdinand tweeted: “Big loss to the footballing world.. sending my condolences to the Greaves family.

“First autobiography I ever read! Inspiration.”

talkSPORT will mark the sad passing of the legendary England Striker and Tottenham’s all time leading goal scorer Jimmy Greaves on Monday night from 7pm.

‘English Football Genius’ a tribute to Jimmy Greaves is hosted by Spurs fan and talkSPORT’s Danny Kelly. 

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