Mueller honoured with memorial service in home town

German footballer Gerd Mueller's home city of Noerdlingen said farewell to the former world-class striker with a public memorial service on Friday, reported dpa.

The goalscoring legend died last Sunday aged 75.

"A great man is gone. The sporting idol of an entire generation and the inspiration for countless young footballers who still emulate him today," Mayor David Wittner said. "The city of Noerdlingen has lost a great son."

Mueller was born in Noerdlingen in 1945. In 1964, at the age of 18, he moved from the amateur league club TSV 1861 Noerdlingen to Bayern Munich, where left his mark on an era.

Mueller is the Bundesliga's most successful goalscorer, with 365 goals in 427 games.

A list of condolences was displayed in front of the town hall, which the more than 100 guests could sign.

Mueller had always "remained a human being," Wittner told the guests and emphasized his down-to-earth nature.

On Sunday, Bayern Munich will honour their former striker before their weekend Bundesliga match with Cologne.

Club president Herbert Hainer and honorary president Uli Hoeness will give speeches on the pitch, when 20,000 fans can also return to the stadium under current coronavirus rules.

There will then be minute's silence before kick-off, Bayern's players will wear black armbands and "loyal companions" of Mueller will be invited to the match.

Pictures of Mueller will be shown on the big screens and after match the Allianz Arena will be branded with the message "Danke Gerd" (Thanks Gerd) which fans will see as they depart for home.