Porto legend Lima Pereira has died at the age of 69, the Portuguese club has announced.
The European Cup winner would have celebrated his 70th birthday on 1 February.
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He won four Portuguese top-flight titles during an 11-year career in Porto from 1978 to 1989.
And he was part of the 1986–87 all-conquering campaign, in which the ‘dragos’ claimed the European crown.
Tributes have been paid for the former centre-back, who was capped 20 times by Portugal.
Porto released a statement on Twitter that read: “Dragon forever. It is with deep regret that we say goodbye to Lima Pereira, expressing our sincere condolences to her family and friends.
“Always see you, Lima Pereira! You will always be one of us!”
Former teammate Augusto Inacio wrote: “Today is a sad day for me.
“Lima Pereira has died – a friend and someone who shared many important achievements for the club with me and the team in Porto.
“Rest in peace friend, heartfelt condolences to the family”
And fan Herois du Praeter wrote: “Today Porto Nation got poorer. See you always Lima Pereira. You will always be one of us.”
Pereira began his career in 1971 with boyhood club Varzim, winning the Segunda Liga in 1975–76.
He switched to Porto two years later, retiring at the age of 39 after two more seasons – before leaving for Maia in 1989.
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