ARSENAL and Everton legend Kevin Campbell has died aged 54 after being raced to hospital.
Emotional tributes are now pouring in for the 54-year-old who enjoyed two decades playing professional football and had since become a pundit.
Campbell scored 59 goals for the Gunners in all competitions
GettyCampbell became a pundit in later life[/caption]
NEWS GROUP NEWSPAPERS LTDCampbell played at Everton between 1999 and 2005[/caption]
Twitter/ArsenalArsenal announced Campbell’s death in a statement this morning[/caption]
AlamyIan Wright shared this snap of him and Campbell[/caption]
GettyWright also shared this picture in a Twitter tribute[/caption]
Campbell, a striker, made 213 appearances for Arsenal between 1988 and 1995, scoring 59 goals in all competitions.
During his time at the Gunners he won the old First Division, the FA Cup, the League Cup and the European Cup Winners’ Cup.
Arsenal said: “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 said: “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’s Nottingham Forest teammate Mark Crossley said: “Life can be so cruel at times.
“Absolutely devastated with news of my ex forest team mate 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. RIP mate.”
Paying tribute, Piers Morgan said: “What incredibly sad news. Top player, and a great guy. RIP.”
It was revealed on Sunday he had been rushed to hospital the week prior after falling unwell.
Everton said he was “very unwell”.
Toffees said on X: “We have been made aware our former striker Kevin Campbell is currently very unwell.
“Not just a great footballer but an incredible person, Kevin is, and always has been, a fighter and we wish him and his family well at this challenging time.
“Sending all our love.”
Campbell made a name for himself after kicking off his career in 1988.
After stints in Nottingham and Turkey he made 137 appearances for Everton where he scored another 39 goals and played with a young Wayne Rooney.
At Trebizond, club president Mehmet Alu Yilmaz had frozen him out of the team and called him a “cannibal” and “discoloured”, the Guardian reported.
At Everton, he became the club’s first black skipper.
Campbell played for the Toffees between 1999 and 2005 before finishing off his career with a year at West Brom and then Cardiff City.
He called time on his career in May 2007 after the Baggies released him following their relegation from the Premier League.
In a two-decade career, Campbell scored 149 goals and made 521 professional appearances.
He holds the record for the most Premier League goals without representing England.
He did, however, make four appearances for England U21s and one appearance for the England B squad.
Campbell began his career at Arsenal and broke into the first team in 1988.
His 24-year-old son Tyrese has played 146 matches for Stoke City beginning in 2018, but has not had his contracted renewed.
GettyCampbell playing in 1994 for Arsenal against Blackburn Rovers[/caption]