Kevin Campbell’s son, Tyrese, has offered a touching tribute on social media following the tragic news of his father’s passing.
The former Everton and Arsenal striker passed away on Saturday morning at the age of 54, after falling ill with reports earlier this month suggesting that he had been admitted to hospital.
Saturday’s news was naturally greeted with an outpouring of emotion and love towards Campbell from his former clubs and close friends in football, namely Ian Wright.
Now Campbell’s son Tyrese, himself a fellow professional footballer has taken to social media to offer a few of his own words at this understandably extremely difficult time for his family.
‘I appreciate my Dad was admired by many and the outpouring of love has been some comfort for us as a family, so thank you for that at such a difficult time.
‘The pain of this is indescribable and as a son you look at your Dad as invincible. He is my idol, the one who I wanted to be when I grew up.
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‘He was the life and soul of every party and room he blessed, a one in a million person that was loved by everyone, a special special person. I’ll miss you Dad.
‘I would now ask that the privacy of our family is respected as we mourn the loss of an irreplaceable father, brother, uncle and all round amazing human being. Love you always Dad.’
Tyrese has been following in his father’s footsteps, and was recently at Stoke City, leaving the club at the end of the 2023-24 season.
The 24-year-old – twice capped by England’s Under 20s – has scored 80 goals in 245 appearances so far in his career.
His father meanwhile scored 107 goals in 394 English top-flight appearances, and as well as his famed stints at Arsenal and Everton, turned out for Nottingham Forest, West Brom, Cardiff City, Leyton Orient and Leicester City.
His time at the Gunners is perhaps what he is best known for, playing 210 games in all competitions.
With the north London outfit he would lift the First Division title in 1990-91, as well as the FA Cup and League Cup double in 1993 and a European Cup Winners Cup in 1993-94.