Former Birmingham City winger Denis Thwaites was killed in Friday's terrorist attack in Tunisia.
The 70-year-old was on holiday with his wife Elaine, 69, when a gunman killed 38 people on a beach near Sousse.
"It is unbelievable," former Birmingham captain and manager Garry Pendrey said in a statement. "He was the equivalent of Trevor Francis in his time, he really was.
"Denis was a terrific player, he had tremendous ability. He could go past people, score goals.
"He was some player, and a lovely, lovely man."
Thwaites broke into the Birmingham City first team at the age of 16, and made 87 appearances in 10 seasons for the Blues.