Former Arsenal striker Kevin Campbell dies aged 54
The ex-footballer and TV pundit had been suffering from a short illness
Last updated 15th Jun 2024
Former Arsenal footballer Kevin Campbell has died at the age of 54.
It's understood Campbell, a title winner with the Gunners and also a hero at Everton , was recently hospitalised with sepsis.
While he started his career with Arsneal, he also spent time with West Brom, Nottingham Forest, Cardiff City, Leicester City, Leyton Orient and Turkish side Trabzonspor.
Arsenal wrote on X, formerly Twitter: "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."
Lots of his former teammates are also paying tribute.
Tony Adams called 'Super Kev' a goal machine, a giant of a man with an even bigger heart" - saying he's devastated for his loved ones. While Alan Smith says all the Arsenal lads are devastated; it's a very sad day.
Born in Lambeth in February 1970, Campbell's first love was Arsenal, whom he joined on schoolboy forms in 1985, once scoring 59 goals in a season for one of the academy teams.
He was also instrumental in the 1988 FA Youth Cup win, scoring a hat-trick in the final and making his first-team debut late that season.
"I couldn't afford to go to games when I was younger so I waited until the last 20 minutes when they opened the gates to the old North Bank stand and ran in to watch the final action of the game," he said.
"So to be able to actually play for the team I supported was a dream come true."
After loan spells at Leyton Orient and Leicester, his eight goals in 10 matches during the run-in was pivotal to the Gunners' First Division title win in 1991.
The arrival of Ian Wright at Highbury in 1991 increased competition for places up front and, despite continuing to feature, Campbell joined Nottingham Forest in 1995.
He scored 60 goals in 224 games for Arsenal and, alongside the league title, also won the FA Cup, League Cup and European Cup Winners' Cup.