Wherever Kevin Keegan appeared as a player, he thrilled the crowds of fans: at Liverpool FC, at Hamburger SV and in the English national team. Now the British football legend is suffering from cancer.
Kevin Keegan is suffering from cancer. According to a statement from the family, which was cited by British media and clubs, the English football idol was recently taken to hospital for further examinations of his ongoing abdominal problems. “These tests revealed a diagnosis of cancer, for which Kevin will undergo treatment,” it said.
The now 74-year-old played for Hamburger SV in the Bundesliga and Liverpool FC in the Premier League during his career. “The thoughts and support of everyone at Liverpool FC and Forever Reds go out to Kevin Keegan after he was diagnosed with cancer,” Liverpool FC wrote on its website.
Keegan played 323 competitive games for the Anfield Road club and scored 100 times. In the six years from 1971 to 1977 he won the championship with Liverpool three times, the then UEFA Cup twice and the Champions League predecessor, the European Champion Clubs’ Cup, once.
He moved from Liverpool FC to HSV in 1977 – for a transfer fee of 2.3 million marks, which was almost unimaginable at the time. An absolute coup for the North Germans: Keegan became German champion with the Hanseatic League in 1979. He scored 30 goals during his three years at HSV and became an absolute crowd favorite.
Family requests privacy
During that time he also had success as a singer: his song “Head over Heels in Love” landed in the German top ten in 1979 and is considered one of the few successful performances by footballers as singers.
Keegan also made 63 appearances for the England national team and scored 21 times for the Three Lions. After his professional career, Keegan worked as a coach for Newcastle United, Manchester City, Fulham FC and the national team. He looked after the team in 18 games from February 1999 to October 2000 – including England’s 1-0 win against Germany at the 2000 European Championship.
The statement released about his cancer concluded: “Kevin is grateful to the medical team for their intervention and ongoing care. During this difficult time, the family requests privacy and will have no further comment.”
jb with dpa
