Real Madrid have announced the death of their legendary defender Marquitos at the age of 78, Reuters reported.

Marquitos - real name Marcos Alonso Imaz - played more than 150 games for Real during the late 1950s and early '60s, the most glorious period in the club's career.

During his eight years at the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu after joining from Racing Santander in 1954, Marquitos won five Spanish league titles and five European Cups.

He left Real left in 1963 to join Herclues. He also played for Murcia and made two appearances for Spain.

His former team-mate Alfredo di Stefano, now honorary president at the club, paid tribute in Spanish sports daily Marca: "(You) gave me such security that we felt protected… you were like a wall."

"He was a defender from the north," another former team-mate Pachin told El Pais.

"He wasn't very gifted technically but he had a natural talent in anticipation."

Marcos Alonso, Marquitos's grandson, currently plays for Premier League side Bolton Wanderers. His son, also called Marcos Alonso, played for Atletico Madrid, Barcelona and Spain.