Leeds United’s all-time record goalscorer Peter Lorimer has died aged 74, the club have announced.
The former Scotland international scored 238 goals in 705 appearances for Leeds over two spells spanning 23 years.
He won two league titles, the FA Cup and League Cup with Leeds under legendary manager Don Revie.
Leeds announced “with great sadness” Lorimer had died on Saturday morning “following a long-term illness”.
A statement read: “Peter’s contribution to Leeds United will never be forgotten and his passing leaves another huge hole in the Leeds United family.
“He will always remain a club icon and his legacy at Elland Road will live on.”
Lorimer also won 21 caps for Scotland and played in all three of their matches at the 1974 World Cup, scoring in the 2-0 win against Zaire.
In a statement on Twitter the Scottish FA said it was “are deeply saddened” at the news of Lorimer’s death.
Lorimer became Leeds’ youngest ever player when he made his debut against Southampton in September 1962 at the age of 15 years, 289 days.
As an attacking midfielder, he would go on to become a key member of Revie’s team that became a dominant force in English football, winning the League Cup in 1968, the First Division in 1969 and 1974, the Charity Shield in 1969 and the FA Cup in 1972.
They also tasted European success with victory in the Inter-Cities Fairs Cup in 1968 and 1971, as well as reaching the 1973 European Cup Winners’ Cup final and the 1975 European Cup final.
He thought he had scored in the European Cup final, but his goal was controversially disallowed, and Leeds lost to Bayern Munich.
Many of Lorimer’s goals were smashed into the net with such force he was given the nicknames ‘Hotshot’ and ‘Lash’ by the supporters.
He left Leeds in 1979 for spells with Toronto Blizzard, Vancouver Whitecaps and York City before returning to Elland Road in 1983 at the age of 37, when the club were in what was then the Second Division.
He scored a further 19 goals in 87 appearances to break the club’s scoring record before moving to Whitby Town in 1985.
He retained his links with Leeds following his retirement as a player, serving as a director and a club ambassador.
He also worked as a pundit for BBC Radio Leeds, had a column in the Yorkshire Evening Post and wrote a column in the club’s match day programme until as recently as last month’s Premier League game against Aston Villa.
‘A legend we all aspire to be like’ – tributes
Lorimer’s former Leeds team-mate Eddie Gray told Football Focus: “Peter was a truly great player, but he was also a great man.
“Peter could do anything. He could go by people; he was a great crosser of the ball. People think about him and his tremendous shot, which he did have, but he was also a great goalscorer and great footballer.
“He will be sorely missed by all the Leeds United fans.”
Current Leeds captain Liam Cooper paid tribute to Lorimer, tweeting: “Fly High Peter. A legend that we all aspire to be like. Sending all our love to Peter’s family.”
Leeds midfielder Stuart Dallas also wrote on Twitter: “After the high of last night, we learn of such sad news this morning. My thoughts are with Peter’s family and friends at this difficult time.”
Leeds chairman Andrea Radrizzani tweeted: “Another Legend left us. My prayers with the family – it has been an honour to meet you and host you at Elland Road, your home.”
