Football legend Pele is to auction off his entire collection of awards and memorabilia, including his three World Cup medals.

His replica of the Jules Rimet Trophy, the original World Cup, which is worth an estimated £410,000, will also be on sale in London between June 7 and 9.

In total, more than 2000 items belonging to the three-time World Cup winner and Fifa Player of the Century will go under the hammer.

The auction, which is handled by Beverly Hills-based Julien's Auctions, is expected to fetch between £1.5m to £3m, although executive director Martin Nolan said the collection could make as much as £5m.

Personal items such as old passports and driving licences will also be included in the sale, as well as match-worn shirts.

Mr Nolan said the "historic" sale is probably the "biggest sports auction ever" and bids are expected from around the world.

"It is just phenomenal to see such a vast collection from one man in one room," he said.

"[Pele] is 75 now, and this is his legacy - he wants to see these items all over the world in museums and in the hands of people who are going to cherish them and love them and appreciate them for many, many years to come."

Pele's three World Cup winners' medals are expected to fetch up to £140,000 each, while the ball with which he scored his 1000th goal is predicted to reach around £40,000.

At the age of 17, Pele helped Brazil win the 1958 World Cup with a hat-trick in the semi-final against France and two goals in the final against host nation Sweden.

His life story was told in the recent biopic Birth of a Legend.