Tottenham Legend Greaves dies at 81

England legend Tottenham Hotspurs Legend Jimmy Greaves has reportedly died at the age of 81.

Reports claim that the Lilywhites goal-scoring hero had been battling dementia for a number of years and tributes have been poured for the Spurs legend across Europe.

After the demise of the legend, Tottenham Hotspurs released a statement that says:

"We are extremely saddened to learn of the passing of the great Jimmy Greaves.

"We extend our deepest sympathies to Jimmy's family and friends at this sad time. Rest in peace, Jimmy."

Greaves was one of the most prolific top-flight goal-scorers the English and world game has seen.

After retiring from the game he went on to have a second career on TV, presenting the hugely popular 'Saint and Greavsie' football show with Ian St John, who himself died earlier this year.

Soon after his death was announced, tributes began to be paid by past and present footballers.

Sir Geoff Hurst, who replaced Greaves in the 1966 team and scored a hat-trick in the final triumph over West Germany, says Greaves was simply the greatest English forward ever.

"There have been some great players but forwards are judged on goals, and there's nobody who could touch him.

"I am asked is there any animosity between Jimmy and I, because I took his place? But not for one second.

"You hear the term genius, and it is the one word which applies to Jimmy," Geoff said.

Current Spurs and England striker Harry Kane has paid his tribute to Jimmy.

England boss Gareth Southgate said there will be a tribute to Greaves when the Three Lions play Hungary at Wembley next month.

"Jimmy Greaves was someone who was admired by all who love football, regardless of club allegiances.

"I was privileged to be able to meet Jimmy's family last year at Tottenham Hotspur as the club marked his 80th birthday.

“My thoughts are with them and I know the entire game will mourn his passing.

"Jimmy certainly deserves inclusion in any list of England's best players, given his status as one of our greatest goal-scorers and his part in our 1966 World Cup success," Southgate explains.

Jimmy Greaves suffered a stroke in May 2015 which left him wheelchair-bound and with severely impaired speech.

Tottenham said he had died at home this morning.

The club paid tribute to Greaves' "phenomenal strike rate".

He was England’s greatest top-flight goalscorer by a country mile, despite retiring from the professional game at 31, which made him more remarkable still.

Greaves was the leading scorer in the English top-flight in six different seasons.

He also held the all-time record of 366 goals in Europe's top five leagues, which stood for no less than 46 years.

He was also part of the first British team to win a European trophy when Spurs picked up the Cup Winner's Cup in 1963.

Greaves was an outstanding dribbler a resemblance to Lionel Messi type, yet he elevated the goal poaching into an art form.