Remembering Kevin Campbell’s football career as he passes away aged 54

The tributes have been pouring in for Kevin Campbell after his untimely passing at the age of 54, after a short illness. The former Arsenal, Everton, West Brom, Trabzonspor and Nottingham Forest forward has received heartfelt obituaries from all his former clubs and colleagues, who remembered him as a remarkable character and top professional. 

The striker won the league title, the FA Cup, a League Cup and the European Cup Winners’ Cup with Arsenal, of whom he was a boyhood fan. He spent four years with the Gunners, and scored 55 goals in 210 appearances for the club over five years. 

A look back at Kevin Campbell’s career in the Premier League 

We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Kevin Campbell, the former Arsenal, Nott'm Forest, Everton and West Brom striker

Our thoughts and condolences are with Kevin's family, friends and those associated with the clubs he played for pic.twitter.com/JkMlgwe8fC

— Premier League (@premierleague) June 15, 2024

After his spell in North London, the forward moved to Nottingham Forest, where he played from 1994 to 1998 before joining Trabzonspor. After only a year, he returned to England to join Everton, and went on to become the club’s first black captain and a talismanic figure for the Toffees. 

He scored 50 goals in 160 games for Everton before seeing out the rest of his career with West Brom and Cardiff. The Lambeth-born striker only represented England at the youth levels, never earning a senior cap although he was eligible to play for Jamaica as well. 

Kevin Campbell eventually moved to commentary, and was very well respected there as well. He also ran a personal security company and had a record label called 2 Wikid. He is survived by his sons Tyrese and Kyle.