Kevin Campbell's son - Stoke City's Tyrese Campbell - pays tribute
The former Arsenal and Everton striker has died after a short illness
Last updated 20th Jun 2024
Kevin Campbell has been described as "my idol" and a "one in a million person" by son Tyrese after his death at the age of 54.
The former Arsenal and Everton striker, a title and FA Cup winner with the Gunners and a hero at Goodison Park after saving the Toffees from relegation in 1999, died after a short illness.
"I appreciate my Dad was admired by many and the outpouring of love has been some comfort as a family, so thank you for that at such a difficult time," former Stoke striker Tyrese said in a message released on his behalf by journalist Alan Myers.
"The pain of this is indescribable and as a son you look at your dad as invincible. He is my idol, the one 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, a special, special person. I'll miss you dad.
"I would now ask that the privacy of our family is respected as we mourn the loss of an irreplaceable father, brother, uncle and all round amazing human being. Love you always dad."
Campbell's former clubs - he also played for Nottingham Forest, Trabzonspor, West Brom and Cardiff, as well as having loan spells at Leyton Orient and Leicester - and ex-teammates also paid tribute to a forward who scored 148 goals in 542 appearances during his career.
Campbell scored 59 goals in 224 games for Arsenal and, alongside the 1990-91 league title, he also won the FA Cup, League Cup and European Cup Winners' Cup at Highbury.
He stayed at Everton until 2005, where he spent time as captain under Walter Smith, and ended his career with spells at West Brom and Cardiff.