Kevin Campbell Everton hero dies aged 54

Everton great Kevin Campbell has died.

The striker, whose legendary spell in the final stages of the 1998-99 campaign helped lift the Blues to safety, was aged 54.

Arsenal, where Campbell started his career, confirmed the tragic news this morning in a post on X: "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."

News Campbell was battling serious illness had emerged earlier this month, prompting an outpouring of heartfelt messages of support.

Those touching comments were shared by ex-team-mates, his old clubs and the many supporters who had grown to love a player who remained popular beyond his playing career.

They included a statement from Everton, which said: “Not just a great footballer but an incredible person, Kevin is, and always has been, a fighter and we wish him and his family well at this challenging time.”

Campbell arrived at Goodison Park on loan from Turkish side Trabzonspor in the spring of 1999 with the club's Premier League status at risk. His run of nine goals in five games led the Blues to safety and paved the way for a permanent move.

In total, the former Arsenal and Nottingham Forest star scored 51 goals across 164 appearances for Everton, including a fourth-minute Merseyside derby winner against Liverpool on September 27, 1999. It is a result that remains the Blues’ most-recent success at Anfield in front of supporters.