Ex-Arsenal, Everton forward Kevin Campbell dies aged 54

Former Arsenal and Everton striker Kevin Campbell has died at the age of 54 following a short illness, the clubs both confirmed on Saturday.

“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 post on X.

The forward had joined the club’s youth setup in 1985, before making his senior debut in 1988.

During his time at Highbury, Campbell won the English First Division (the predecessor to the Premise League in 1990-91, an FA Cup, a League Cup and the European Cup Winner’s Cup. He scored 59 goals for the north London club.

“Everyone at Everton is deeply saddened by the death of our former striker Kevin Campbell at the age of just 54,” Everton wrote in a statement.

“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.”

Campbell scored 51 goals in 164 games for Everton, who had said he was “very unwell” and in hospital earlier in June.

Campbell became the first Black player to captain Everton in 2001.