Bayern Munich and West Germany football legend, Gerd Muller, has died at the age of 75. 

His death was announced in a statement by the president of Bayern Munich, Herbert Hainer,  who described him as the greatest striker the team has ever had and a person of fine character. 

“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,” Mr Herbert said. 

Muller made 62 appearances for West Germany scoring 68 goals, including the winning goal in the 1974 World Cup final against Holland. 

 Also, in his fifteen years as a player in Bayern, Muller clinched a record of 365 goals in 427 Bundesliga games and 66 goals in European matches.

Muller was the Bundesliga’s top scorer seven times during his 15 years with Bayern, was awarded German Footballer of the Year twice, and won the Ballon d’Or once, in 1970. 

He left in 1979 to join the North American Soccer League, where he played three seasons for the Fort Lauderdale Strikers before returning to Bayern as a coach, following in the footsteps of Pelé and George Best. He is still the all-time leading scorer in the Bundesliga.