Peter Lorimer, who remains the youngest player to play for Leeds, made 705 appearances and scored 238 goals over two spells with the club; Scotland international won every domestic honour with the club; Leeds captain Liam Cooper: “Fly High Peter. A legend that we all aspire to be like”
Peter Lorimer, Leeds United’s all-time leading goalscorer, has died aged 74 after a long-term illness.
The attacking midfielder, nicknamed “Hotshot Lorimer”, was a key player in Don Revie’s Leeds side of the 1960s and 1970s, playing at Elland Road across two spells from 1962-79 and 1983-85.
Former Scotland international Lorimer, who made his Leeds debut against Southampton in 1962 at the age of 15 years and 289 days, remains the youngest player to play for the club.
A statement by the Premier League club read: “It is with great sadness, Leeds United has learned of the passing of club legend Peter Lorimer this morning at the age of 74 following a long-term illness.”
Lorimer, who made 705 appearances and scored 238 goals for the club, helped Leeds claim seven trophies, including two league titles and the FA Cup as he won every major domestic honour, during his first spell.
Leeds CEO Angus Kinnear said: “Today is an incredibly sad day for Leeds Utd. Peter Lorimer epitomised the word legend.
“Not only was he our record goalscorer from a decorated era of our history but he continued to work closely with the club until it was no longer possible in recent months.
“Our thoughts are with Sue and all his family. He will be missed greatly.”
Lorimer is the latest Leeds great to die in the last 12 months, following Jack Charlton, Trevor Cherry and Norman Hunter.
Leeds chairman Andrea Radrizzani added: “Another Legend left us. My prayers with the family – it has been an honour to meet you and host you at Elland Road, your home.”
‘A legend we all aspire to be like’
Current Leeds captain Liam Cooper tweeted: “Fly High Peter. A legend that we all aspire to be like. Sending all our love to Peter’s family”.
Lorimer also enjoyed European success at Leeds with victory in the Inter-Cities Fairs Cup in 1968 and 1971 and reached the 1973 European Cup Winners’ Cup final and the 1975 European Cup final.
He left Leeds in 1979 for spells with Toronto Blizzard, Vancouver Whitecaps and York City before returning to Elland Road in 1983 at the age of 37, scoring a further 19 goals in 87 appearances to break the club’s scoring record.
Lorimer, born in Dundee in 1946, won 21 caps for Scotland and played in all three of their matches at the 1974 World Cup, scoring in the 2-0 win against Zaire.
He retired as a player in 1986 after a brief spell with Whitby and was later appointed to Leeds’ board as a director, before being named as the club’s first ambassador in 2013
Leeds’ statement added: “Peter’s contribution to Leeds United will never be forgotten and his passing leaves another huge hole in the Leeds United family.
“He will always remain a club icon and his legacy at Elland Road will live on.”
