Former Arsenal and Everton star Kevin Campbell has tragically passed away at the age of 54.
At the beginning of this month it was learned that Campbell was seriously ill in the hospital.l, and the sad news of his passing was confirmed on Saturday morning.
A statement from 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.”
Campbell, a striker, played 542 club games and scored 148 goals during a long career in which he won trophies with Arsenal and gain legendary status in Everton.
Campbell was also admired by fans of Nottingham Forestwho he helped to promotion to the Premier League, and also played in the top flight with West Brom.
Born in Lambeth, London, Campbell began his football journey as an apprentice at Arsenal.
He progressed through the club's youth set-up before moving into the first team, making his debut in 1988.
Following loan spells at Leyton Orient and Leicester City, Campbell became a key member of the Arsenal team and played a major role in their title-winning campaign in 1990/91.
He also scored crucial goals for Arsenal in the victory. the FA Cup and League Cup in 1992/93.
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In the 1993/94 season, Campbell scored 19 goals and was a key part of the team that lifted the 1993/94 European Cup Winners' Cup trophy.
He made 226 appearances for the Gunners in total, scoring 60 goals, before moving to Nottingham Forest in 1995 for a fee of £2.5 million.
After two years in the Premier League, Forest were relegated, but Campbell stayed on and scored 22 goals to help the club gain immediate promotion to the top division.
A surprise and controversial move to Tranzonspor followed, but his stay in Turkey was abrupt as he left just seven months later to return to English football with Everton.
Everton were battling relegation when Campbell arrived on loan in March 1999 and proved to be a vital signing, scoring nine goals in eight games to stay in the position.
That instantly earned him hero status at Goddison Park and he spent five seasons with Everton, scoring 50 goals in 160 appearances.
Campbell has since embarked on a media career and has been regularly seen as an expert on Darling Sports, while watching his son, Tyrese Campbell, in action during Stoke City.
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