By The football world is in mourning as former Everton and Arsenal striker Kevin Campbell has passed away at the age of 54 after a battle with illness. Earlier in June, Everton had confirmed that their former player was “very unwell,” and tributes poured in from both the Toffees and the Gunners, as well as the wider football community.
According to Mail Sport, Campbell’s health issues began with a stroke he suffered a few months ago. He subsequently developed kidney failure, and his weight had dropped to nine stone by the time of his death. Despite his declining health, the 54-year-old tried to remain positive and had messaged his old Arsenal teammates to assure them he was fine. The news of his passing on Saturday morning has left them devastated.
Arsenal posted a heartfelt tribute to their former player, stating, “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 also confirmed the news on social media, adding their own tribute: “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 became a Merseyside legend during his six-year stint at Everton from 1999 to 2005, scoring 50 goals in 160 appearances. Many of his efforts helped the club stave off the threat of relegation at the beginning of the millennium under the management of Walter Smith, who initially brought the striker in on loan.
The forward also enjoyed success with his boyhood club Arsenal, winning the FA Cup and League Cup while making more than 200 appearances for the Gunners. He was part of the Arsenal teams that clinched a First Division title and the European Cup Winners’ Cup before departing for Nottingham Forest in 1995.
Throughout his career, Campbell scored 107 goals in 394 English top-flight appearances and also played for Nottingham Forest, West Brom, Cardiff City, Leyton Orient, and Leicester City. He had a brief spell in Turkey with Trabzonspor after leaving the City Ground in 1998.
Campbell’s son, Tyrese, is also a professional footballer who most recently played for Stoke City before leaving the club at the end of the 2023-24 season.
The football community mourns the loss of Kevin Campbell, a true legend on and off the pitch, and extends its condolences to his family and friends during this difficult time.
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