Former Premier League striker Kevin Campbell has died at the age of 54, as announced by his former clubs Arsenal and Everton on Saturday.
Campbell, who passed away after a short illness, holds the record for the most Premier League goals—83—by a player never to win an international cap.
“Everyone at Arsenal Football Club is devastated to hear of the death of our much-loved former player Kevin Campbell,” Arsenal said in a statement.
Campbell joined Arsenal as a schoolboy in 1985, making his first-team debut in 1988. Over his time with the Gunners, he played 228 matches, scored 59 goals, and won a league title, an FA Cup, a European Cup Winners Cup, and a League Cup.
“To actually play for the team I supported was a dream come true,” Campbell once said about his time at Arsenal.
In his career at Everton, Campbell played 164 games and scored 51 goals, including a remarkable nine goals in five games that helped save the club from relegation in 1999.
“Everyone at Everton Football Club is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of one of the Club’s most popular and much-loved former strikers, Kevin Campbell,” the club said on their website.
Campbell’s career also saw him play for Leicester City, Leyton Orient, Nottingham Forest, Trabzonspor, West Bromwich Albion, and Cardiff City. One of his cherished football memories was scoring the winner in the 2000 Merseyside derby, Everton’s last victory at Anfield for 22 years.
“It was at the Kop End and my view, which will live with me until the day I die, is the Blues in the Kop going crazy,” he recalled.
In January 2001, manager Walter Smith made Campbell Everton’s first black captain, a milestone he held with great pride.
“He made me the first black captain of Everton, which is something that I’m so proud of,” Campbell said.
Campbell later moved to West Brom in January 2005, where he played a pivotal role in their “great escape,” helping the club become the first to survive relegation after being at the bottom of the Premier League at Christmas.
Campbell’s legacy continues through his son, Tyrese Campbell, a striker who was recently released by Championship side Stoke City after seven seasons with the club.
