Former Arsenal and Everton striker Kevin Campbell has died at the age of 54 following a short illness. Campbell was reported to have been “very” unwell in hospital earlier this month and his passing has now been confirmed, prompting a flood of tributes from his former clubs and teammates.
Campbell emerged from Arsenal’s youth academy and spent a decade at Highbury from 1985 to 1995, scoring 59 goals in 228 appearances. He won several trophies with the Gunners, including the First Division, FA Cup, EFL Cup, Charity Shield, and the European Cup Winners’ Cup.
After leaving Arsenal, Campbell played for Nottingham Forest and Turkish club Trabzonspor before joining Everton. Initially signed on loan in 1999, his move was made permanent that summer for £3 million. During his time at Goodison Park, Campbell scored 51 goals in 164 matches from 1999 to 2005 and became the first black captain of the club.
Campbell also had brief stints at West Bromwich Albion and Cardiff City before retiring in 2007. His former teams fondly remembered him when news of his death broke on Saturday morning.
“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. He remained a dear and cherished friend to many at the club, always maintaining the close links that began in his very early days at Highbury. All of us are thinking of his friends and family at this difficult time. Rest in peace Kevin,” Arsenal said in a statement.
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Tony Adams, former Arsenal captain and teammate, paid a heartfelt tribute on social media, describing Campbell as a “goal machine” and a “truly wonderful” human being. “Super Kev: a goal machine, a giant of a man, with an even bigger heart. An intensely private and a truly wonderful human being. I’m devastated for his loved ones, and all of us. Love you Super Kev, Skipper,” Adams wrote.
Everton also honored Campbell, calling him an “icon of the English game” and announced they would commemorate his life at the start of the 2024-25 season. “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,” the club stated.
Campbell represented England at Under-21 level and for the B team, but never made his full senior debut, making him the highest scorer in Premier League history without a Three Lions cap, with 83 goals in the competition.