Former Arsenal and Everton forward Kevin Campbell has died following a brief battle with an illness he was hospitalised for in May, both clubs confirmed in a statement on Saturday.
“We are devastated to learn that our former striker Kevin Campbell has died after a short illness. Kevin was adored by everyone at the club. All of us are thinking of his friends and family at this difficult time,” Arsenal said in a statement.
He was aged 54.
In addition to Arsenal and Everton, Campbell played for six other clubs, including Leyton Orient, Leicester, Nottingham Forest, Trabzonspor, West Brom, and Cardiff, making 542 appearances and scoring 148 goals in total.
During his stint at the Emirates, he won four major honours, including the Football League First Division title, the FA Cup, the League Cup, and the European Cup Winners’ Cup. He also won another Football League First Division with Nottingham Forest.
Following his retirement from football in 2007, he ventured into broadcasting as a commentator for India-based Sony TEN’s Premier League and Champions League matches.
Everton said: “Everyone at Everton is deeply saddened by the death of our former striker Kevin Campbell at the age of just 54. Not just a true Goodison Park hero and icon of the English game but an incredible person as well – as anyone who ever met him will know. RIP, Super Kev.”
