Kevin Keegan dies aged 75 after cancer battle

Kevin Keegan, the former England player and manager and two-time Ballon d'Or winner, has died at the age of 75 after battling stage four cancer, his family has announced.

Keegan's family revealed in January that he had been diagnosed with stage four cancer and was due to begin treatment.

"It is with immense sadness that we announce that Kevin Keegan has passed away at the age of 75," the family said in a statement.

The former England player and manager had been battling cancer and was surrounded by his wife and daughters in his final moments.

"Kevin, a double Ballon d'Or winner, was a much-loved husband, father and grandfather. The family would like to thank Kevin's incredible medical team for all their support. This is a hugely difficult time and they are requesting space and privacy."

Widely regarded as one of the finest players of his generation, Keegan enjoyed a glittering playing career spanning almost 750 club appearances. He won three First Division titles with Liverpool before moving to Hamburg, where he claimed back-to-back Ballon d'Or awards in 1978 and 1979.

After retiring as a player, Keegan moved into management and took charge of a struggling Newcastle United side in February 1992, seven years after ending his playing career. With the club facing the threat of relegation to Division Two, he guided Newcastle to safety before leading them to promotion to the Premier League in his first full season in charge.

Keegan then transformed Newcastle into title challengers, taking the Magpies to within touching distance of their first top-flight league championship since 1927 during the 1995-96 season.