Kevin Campbell dead at 54: Everton legend and former Arsenal striker passes away after a battle with illness

Former Everton and Arsenal striker Kevin Campbell has passed away at the age of 54 after a battle with illness. 

The Toffees had confirmed that their former player was 'very unwell' earlier in June, with tributes also coming in from the Gunners as well as the wider football community. 

However, on Saturday the news came that Campbell had tragically passed away in hospital.

Mail Sport understands that the former striker's health issues started with a stroke suffered a few months ago. 

Campbell then developed kidney failure and his weight had dropped to nine stone by time of death. 

The 54-year-old was trying to be positive despite his declining health and had messaged his old Arsenal team-mates to tell them he was fine. 

They of course are absolutely devastated by the tragic news of his passing on Saturday morning. 

Arsenal posted a touching tribute to their former player on Saturday morning, writing: '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 also confirmed the news on social media, adding their own tribute: '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 became a Merseyside legend for his heroics at Everton, where he spent six years at Goodison Park from 1999-2005.

There, he scored 50 goals in 160 appearances for Everton, with many of his efforts helping to ensure that the club staved off the threat of relegation at the beginning of the millennium. 

His early heroics for the Toffees came under the management of Walter Smith, who initially brought the striker in on loan. 

The forward also enjoyed success with his boyhood club Arsenal, where he won the FA Cup and League Cup while making more than 200 appearance for the Gunners. 

Campbell was also part of the Gunners teams that clinched a First Division title and the European Cup Winners' Cup. 

He spent seven years on the books in north London before departing for Nottingham Forest in 1995. 

In all, Campbell scored 107 goals in 394 English top-flight appearances, and also turned out for Nottingham Forest, West Brom, Cardiff City, Leyton Orient and Leicester City. 

He also had a brief spell in Turkey with Trabzonspor after leaving the City Ground in 1998. 

Campbell's son, Tyrese, is also a professional footballer, most recently on the books at Stoke City before departing the Potters at the end of the 2023-24 season.