Former England forward and manager Kevin Keegan has been diagnosed with cancer, Newcastle United confirmed on Wednesday. The Premier League club said Keegan was admitted to hospital after experiencing ongoing abdominal symptoms, which led to further tests and the diagnosis.
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“Kevin Keegan was recently admitted to the hospital for further evaluation of ongoing abdominal symptoms. These investigations revealed a cancer diagnosis, and Kevin will undergo treatment,” the club said in a statement.
Keegan, 74, enjoyed a distinguished playing career with Liverpool and Hamburg. At Liverpool, he won three First Division titles, a European Cup, two UEFA Cups, and an FA Cup, earning recognition as one of Europe’s top players.
He later moved to Germany, where he won the Bundesliga with Hamburg and was twice named European Footballer of the Year. Keegan returned to England to play for Southampton and Newcastle, scoring 204 goals in 592 league appearances.
Nicknamed “King Kev,” Keegan earned 63 caps for England, scoring 21 goals and captaining the national team 31 times. His leadership on the pitch was widely praised, and he remains a beloved figure in English football.
As a manager, Keegan had two spells in charge of Newcastle, famously finishing runners-up in the Premier League in 1995-96 after leading the table for much of the season. He later succeeded Glenn Hoddle as England manager in 1999 but left the role after Euro 2000.
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Newcastle fans and the football community have expressed support for Keegan on social media. The club confirmed that he will now focus on treatment, and supporters are sending messages of encouragement to the former player and manager during this challenging time.