Bayern Munich and Germany legend Gerd Muller has died at the age of 75.
The former striker is widely regarded as one of the greatest goalscorers of all time, having netted 654 times in 716 games at club level and 68 times in just 62 international appearances.
The vast majority of Muller's club career was spent at Bayern Munich, where he scored 563 goals in 605 games to establish himself as the club's all-time record goalscorer.
Nicknamed Der Bomber, Muller's tally of 365 Bundesliga goals remains the most in the competition's history, while he won the top-scorer award in seven separate seasons.
The diminutive forward joined Bayern when they were still a second-tier side and was a key part of the team which turned the club into the dominant force in German football, alongside the likes of Franz Beckenbauer and Sepp Maier.
Muller helped Bayern to 14 trophies, including four Bundesliga titles and three consecutive European Cups between 1973 and 1976.
The 1970 Ballon d'Or winner enjoyed even more success at international level, helping Germany to win the 1972 European Championship and 1974 World Cup - the first national team to hold the world and European crowns simultaneously.
Muller scored the winning goal in the 1974 final on home soil as West Germany overcame a legendary Netherlands side including Johan Cruyff.
"Today is a sad, dark day for FC Bayern and all its fans. Gerd Muller was the greatest striker there's ever been, and a fine person and character of world football," Bayern president Herbert Hainer told the club's official website.
"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 Muller'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 Muller 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 is survived by his wife Uschi and a daughter. body check tags ::
