Arsenal legend Kevin Campbell dies aged 54

Arsenal and Everton icon Kevin Campbell, 54, has died, a former teammate has said.

Campbell was admitted to hospital at the end of May, but no details as to- the nature of his illness were made public at the time. Both Arsenal and Everton posted short statements after Campbell had been hospitalised.

However, former Nottingham Forest teammate Mark Crossley confirmed that Campbell has sadly passed away, in a statement on Twitter this morning.

He 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.”

Shortly after this, Arsenal also confirmed the news on social media.

Writing to their 22.3million Twitter followers, the club 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 echoed the message, adding: “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.”

Sports agency SMI Management, also confirmed the news, writing on Twitter: “Wow this one really hurts. Rest easy KC a true friend and gentleman. Thoughts with Kevs 2 boys and the rest of his family.”

Campbell started his career with Arsenal and he would go onto make 224 first-team appearances for the Gunners after loan spells with Leyton Orient and Leicester.

He was part of Arsenal’s league title-winning squad in 1991 and then helped the Gunners win the FA Cup and League Cup double in 1993 before famously lifting the European Cup Winners’ Cup a year later.

After spending the three years at Nottingham Forest between 1995 and 1998, Campbell moved abroad for the first and only time in his career, joining to Turkish side Trabzonspor.

He then enjoyed a prolific six-month loan spell with Everton in the second half of the 1998-99 season – with the Toffees making his spell at Goodison Park permanent that summer for £3million.