Kevin Campbell, the former Arsenal, Nottingham Forest and Everton striker, has died at the age of 54. Campbell’s death was announced almost two weeks after it was revealed he was in hospital with a serious illness. He was a hugely popular figure within the game, a league title winner with Arsenal and a charismatic TV pundit in more recent years.
“We are devastated to learn that our former striker Kevin Campbell has died after a short illness,” Arsenal tweeted. “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.
Wayne Rooney, a former teammate at Everton, wrote on X: “Absolutely devastated to hear the news about Kev. Thinking of all his family and friends. Kev was a great teammate but more importantly a brilliant person who helped me a lot in my earlier years.”
Tony Adams, Campbell’s former Arsenal teammate and captain, posted: “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.”
Clinton Morrison said he grew up in south London inspired by the “goals and celebrations” of Campbell and his Arsenal strike partner Ian Wright. “Being a London boy and growing up watching him and Ian Wright playing together was brilliant for us youngsters,” the former Crystal Palace and Republic of Ireland striker Morrison told BBC Radio 5 Live.
“The way they scored goals and the way they celebrated, that’s how we were, looking up to those two players as idols. We thought: ‘Look how they score goals, look how they’re enjoying themselves, look how they’re celebrating.’
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