Kevin Campbell, a well-known former striker for Arsenal and Everton, has passed away at the age of 54.
His death was announced two weeks after it was revealed that he was in the hospital with a serious illness.
Campbell was very popular in the football world. He won a league title with Arsenal and became a well-liked TV pundit in recent years.
Arsenal shared their sorrow on Twitter, saying, “We are devastated to learn that our former striker Kevin Campbell has died after a short illness,” Arsenal tweeted. “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 also paid tribute, calling him “Super Kev”. They said, “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.”
Kevin Campbell, born in Lambeth was a top goalscorer as a youth for Arsenal and made his debut for the first team against Everton in 1988.
He scored eight goals in 10 games during the 1990-91 season, helping Arsenal win the First Division championship.
He also won the League Cup and FA Cup Double in 1993 and the European Cup Winners’ Cup in 1994 with Arsenal.
Campbell left Arsenal in 1995 after scoring 55 goals in 210 games, moving to Nottingham Forest for £2.5 million.
Despite suffering relegation in 1997, he helped Forest return to the top flight the next season with 23 goals.
After a brief and troubled time at Trabzonspor in Turkey, where he faced racial abuse, Campbell joined Everton on loan in March 1999.
He quickly made a big impact, helping the team avoid relegation by scoring nine goals in his first eight games.
Everton then signed him permanently for £3 million, and he was their top scorer for the next two seasons.
Campbell, who became Everton’s first black captain and was well-loved by fans, also played for West Bromwich Albion, where he again helped a struggling team stay in the Premier League, and Cardiff.
He retired in 2007 and became a popular TV commentator, known for his warmth and humour, after his playing career.
His former teammate, Mark Crossley, said, “Life can be so cruel at times. Absolutely devastated with news of my ex-Forest teammate Kevin Campbell’s passing: a true gentleman, a great player, a shining light of a dressing room, fun-loving guy, thoughts are with all his family and friends.”
Outside football, Campbell briefly ran a record label and co-owned a high-end security company.
His son Tyrese, a former Stoke City player, said, “The pain of this is indescribable and as a son you look at your dad as invincible. He is my idol, the one who I wanted to be when I grew up. He was the life and soul of every party and room he blessed, a one-in-a-million person that was loved by everyone.”
Campbell will be remembered for his contributions to football and his warm, charismatic personality.
