Martin Chivers, the prolific former Tottenham and England striker who defined an era of success for Spurs in the 1970s, has died at the age of 80.

Tottenham Hotspur confirmed the news in a statement on Wednesday, though the Premier League club did not specify a cause of death.

“It is with immense sadness that we announce the passing of our legendary former striker,” the club posted on X, hailing Chivers as “one of the all-time greats.”

Chivers remains a cornerstone of the North London club’s history, sitting fourth on their all-time scoring list with 174 goals in 367 appearances. His tally is surpassed only by modern icon Harry Kane and fellow legends Jimmy Greaves and Bobby Smith.

Joining Spurs from Southampton in 1968 for a then-British record fee of 125,000 pounds (roughly $168,000 today), Chivers became a central figure in a side that reached four major finals in four years. He famously secured the 1971 League Cup by scoring both goals in a 2-0 win over Aston Villa and repeated his heroics in the 1972 UEFA Cup final, netting twice in a 3-2 aggregate victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers.

In his honour, Tottenham players wore black armbands during their Wednesday fixture against Bournemouth.

Before his storied tenure at White Hart Lane, Chivers scored 108 goals in 189 games for Southampton, helping the Saints secure promotion to the top flight. Southampton officials said the club was “deeply saddened” by the loss of their former star.

On the international stage, Chivers earned 24 caps for England, scoring 13 goals. The English Football Association joined the tributes, stating, “Our condolences go out to his friends and family at this sad time.”

Chivers, who won a second League Cup with Spurs in 1973 before moving to the Swiss side Servette in 1976, is survived by a legacy as one of English football’s most clinical finishers.

With inputs from AP