Jimmy Greaves, the former England and Tottenham Hotspur striker, is in intensive care in hospital after suffering a severe stroke at the weekend.
His family said in a statement:
Football legend Jimmy Greaves suffered a severe stroke on Sunday May 3, and is in intensive care in hospital.
His wife, Irene, and four children have asked for privacy during what is a worrying time for the family.
They will issue a bulletin on his condition when it is appropriate.
England's greatest ever goalscorer was 75 on February 20, and has been working regularly on the personal appearances circuit in harness with his friend and agent Terry Baker.
Jimmy had a minor stroke in 2012, but appeared to have made a full recovery.
He was due to be inducted into the Tottenham Hotspur Hall of Fame on May 13 at a sell-out ceremony at White Hart Lane.
This is all we wish to say at the present time.
Greaves is fourth on the list of all-time England goal-scorers, with 44 in 57 games.
Our thoughts are with Jimmy and his family at this difficult time.
We are saddened to hear about former England striker Jimmy Greaves, who is in intensive care after suffering a stroke
Greaves was part of England's World Cup-winning squad in 1966 but initially missed out on a winners' medal due to injury.
In 2009, he and the other squad players were presented with medals after Fifa changed the rule that only the 11 players on the pitch during the final should receive an award.
