体坛英语新闻：Former Real Madrid hero, Zarraga, dies aged 81

MADRID, April 4 (Xinhua) -- Real Madrid announced this Wednesday that former captain, Jose Maria Zarraga had died on Tuesday at the age of 81.

Zarraga, who was born in 1930 in the Basque country, began his carear with Las Arenas Getxo, before signing for Real Madrid in 1949. After spending two years in Madrid's B team, he was promoted to the first team squad.

He spent 13 years at the club, making 306 appearances, scoring 96 goals and forming part of the group of players that helped Real Madrid win five successive European Cups between 1956 and 1960.

Zarraga also made eight appearances for the Spansh national team.

Real Madrid will respect a minute's silence and the team will wear black armbands as a mark of respect in Wednesday's Champions League quarter-final second leg against APOEL Nicosia at the Bernabeu.

Real Madrid take a 3-0 lead into the tie and are clear favorites to qualify for the semi-finals of the competition.