England and Real Madrid midfielder Jude Bellingham has paid tribute to “trailblazer” Trevor Francis following his death at the age of 69.
Bellingham, who spent his formative years at Birmingham where Francis also made his name as a teenager, thanked him for the guidance he had provided.
Former Sheffield Wednesday and Nottingham Forest midfielder Chris Bart-Williams has died at the age of 49.
The Owls said he died in the US, where he was a mentor and a coach.
Nottingham Forest have signed forward Anthony Elanga from Manchester United for a reported £15million.
The 21-year-old Sweden international, who made 55 appearances in all competitions for United, has agreed a five-year deal.
Trevor Francis was a footballer best known not for scoring in a European Cup final, earning 52 England appearances or later managing in major finals – all notable achievements – but for one of the game’s historical landmarks, as British football’s first £1million player.
In these days of £100million-plus fees, few now bat an eyelid at modest seven-figure moves but in 1979, when Brian Clough’s Nottingham Forest smashed the British transfer record to sign Francis from Birmingham, the sum caused quite a stir.
A host of former footballers led the tributes to “wonderful gentleman” Trevor Francis following his death at the age of 69.
A spokesman for the family confirmed on Monday the former Birmingham, Nottingham Forest and England striker had died following a heart attack.
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