Former Arsenal and Everton striker Kevin Campbell has passed away at 54 following a brief illness.
Throughout his career, Campbell scored 148 goals in 542 matches across eight clubs.
He secured four major trophies with Arsenal and later played for Leyton Orient, Leicester, Nottingham Forest, Trabzonspor, Everton, West Brom, and Cardiff.
Campbell’s last match as a player was in February 2007 before he transitioned to broadcasting.
Everton recently stated that Campbell fell ill in May and had been “very unwell” in hospital.
Arsenal expressed their sorrow: “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. Rest in peace, Kevin.”
Everton added: “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.”
Campbell debuted for Arsenal’s senior team in 1988, after loan periods with Leyton Orient and Leicester.
He contributed nine goals in 22 appearances during Arsenal’s 1990-91 title-winning season.
Campbell also helped Arsenal win the FA Cup and League Cup in 1993, and the European Cup Winners’ Cup in 1994.
In 1995, Campbell joined Nottingham Forest, scoring 22 goals in 39 games during his final season to help the team gain Premier League promotion.
After a brief time in Turkey with Trabzonspor, Campbell moved to Everton on loan in March 1999, scoring nine goals in their last eight Premier League matches to help avoid relegation. He then secured a permanent deal and stayed for over five seasons.
Campbell ended his playing career with West Brom and Cardiff.
