Former Man City and England striker Trevor Francis dies aged 69

Trevor Francis, Britain's first £1million footballer who later played for Manchester City, has died at the age of 69.

Francis died at his home near Marbella in Spain this morning, reports Nottinghamshire Live.

The striker secured his place in the history of English football when he became the first £1m player having transferred from Birmingham City to Nottingham Forest in 1979, scoring the goal that gave Forest the European Cup later that year.

His former teammate at Forest Viv Anderson said: "Just heard the unbelievable news regarding Trevor Francis, he was such a wonderful person and fabulous teammate he will be sadly missed, my condolences go to his family and friends RIP."

ALSO READ: Guardiola might have decided on Gundogan replacement at City

He played for Manchester City in the early 1980s and City tweeted: "Manchester City are deeply saddened at the passing of our former player Trevor Francis. Our thoughts are with Trevor’s friends and family at this difficult time."

Francis' playing career spanned 23 years having started out at St Andrew's.

He left for Forest for a record transfer fee and went on to win the European Cup in 1979. He was part of the squad that lifted the same trophy again a year later but missed the win over Hamburg because of injury. During his time at Forest he scored 28 goals in 70 appearances.

Reflecting on being the first £1m pound player in an interview back in 2019, Francis said: “I never realised at the time the significance of it,” he says.

“I smashed, literally smashed, the transfer record. Doubled it. It was just a magical figure – a million pounds. Paris Saint-Germain spent nearly £200m on Neymar, but I don’t think it has the same magical appeal that £1m did. Do I feel proud of being