Kevin Keegan's cause of death as Liverpool and Newcastle prepare to pay tribute

Newcastle and Liverpool fans have united to celebrate the life of the late Kevin Keegan. Fittingly, the English clubs where he is most revered meet in their opening Premier League match of the season at St James' Park on Sunday.

Keegan, a star of Liverpool's 1970s side who went on to become adored on Tyneside as player and manager of Newcastle , died on July 20 aged 75. He had been undergoing treatment for stage four stomach cancer.

Keegan's family revealed in January that he had been diagnosed with the disease. Speaking at an event in Newcastle in May, Keegan said he would like to return to St James' Park to say goodbye. He said: "I want to say goodbye. I didn't get the chance when I left the club last time."

As tributes poured in from around the football world , his death was felt most on Tyneside and Merseyside, with the Magpies and the Reds holding talks over how to commemorate an incredible life and career when the sides met.

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A Newcastle statement said: "The opening Premier League match of 2026/27 sees Newcastle United hosting Liverpool – where Kevin made 323 appearances between 1971 and 1977.

"To ensure his memory is marked fittingly before the game, the club is in communication with Liverpool and will work closely with supporter groups, including its Fan Advisory Board, the Newcastle United Supporters Trust and Wor Flags, as well as the Premier League, to shape tributes."

Liverpool said: "LFC is also in direct contact with Newcastle United, ahead of the Premier League opener at St. James' Park, regarding special tributes to Keegan, who represented both clubs so successfully.

"In addition, a further tribute will be held ahead of the Reds' first Premier League home match of the season, on Saturday, August 29 against Nottingham Forest .

"This will provide another opportunity for supporters to pay their respects with a special fan mosaic and a period of applause observed before kick-off, with players also wearing black armbands."

Born in Doncaster, Keegan started his career at Scunthorpe before being signed for Liverpool by Bill Shankly in 1971. While at Anfield, Keegan won the First Division title three times as well as the FA Cup , the UEFA Cup twice and the 1977 European Cup.

Following that success, Keegan joined German side Hamburg and was twice named European Footballer of the Year. He is the only British player to have won the award, now called the Ballon d’Or, more than once.

Keegan returned to England with Southampton in the summer of 1980 before moving to Second Division Newcastle, helping the club win promotion back to the top flight, only to then retire at the age of 33.

He won 63 England caps, scoring 21 goals, playing at the 1982 World Cup and captaining the national team. In 1992, Keegan made his first step into management at Newcastle, leading them into the Premier League and to within touching distance of the 1995/96 title.