Trevor Francis: Nottingham Forest European Cup winner and Britain’s first £1m footballer dies aged 69

Legendary Nottingham Forest striker Trevor Francis, who became Britain’s first £1m footballer, has died at the age of 69.

Francis began his career at Birmingham City, playing 329 times and scoring 133 goals, but left for Forest in 1979 when the club broke the British transfer record with a £1.15m move to the City Ground.

In a statement, Nottingham Forest said: “[We are] deeply saddened to learn the passing of two-time European Cup winner, Trevor Francis.

“A true Forest legend who will never be forgotten.”

During his short spell at Forest, Francis scored 37 goals in 93 games across all competitions and cemented himself in the club’s history books when he scored the winning goal on the stroke of halftime in the 1979 European Cup final against Malmö.

He was part of the squad that lifted the same trophy a year later but missed the final against Hamburg due to injury.

“We are deeply saddened by the news that Trevor Francis has passed away aged 69,” the England football team said on Twitter.

“All of our thoughts are with his family, friends and former clubs.”

During his career, Francis earned 52 England caps and later guided Birmingham City and Sheffield Wednesday to major finals as manager.