Newcastle and England legend Kevin Keegan has died at the age of 75 after a short battle with illness.Keegan was diagnosed with stage four stomach cancer in January, having been admitted to hospital with abdominal problems.In a statement, his family said: ‘It is with immense sadness that we announce that Kevin Keegan has passed away at the age of 75.’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.’ Kevin Keegan has died at the age of 75 after a short battle with illness Former England manager Keegan was diagnosed with stomach cancer in January this year Keegan was a formidable footballer and twice won the Ballon d’Or – football’s most prestigious individual prize – during his career Keegan pictured with his wife Jean, who was by his side when he died on Monday Keegan at Buckingham Palace with his wife Jean and daughter Laura after being awarded an OBE in 1982 After retiring from football in 1985, Keegan turned to management and was at the helm of his beloved Newcastle United for five years (pictured with Ant and Dec in 1995) Keegan was admitted to hospital due to ‘ongoing abdominal symptoms’, a statement from his family said in January.’These investigations have revealed a diagnosis of cancer, for which Kevin will undergo treatment,’ it added.However, he looked sprightly when he returned to public life in May. Keegan told an audience in Newcastle that he was responding well to treatment after being assured ‘we have a top doctor with this new way of fighting what you have got’.’He [the doctor] was a Liverpool supporter, so I went to meet him. I knew I wouldn’t be walking alone, if you know what I mean.’Keegan began his playing career at Scunthorpe in 1968, before moving to Liverpool to play for Bill Shankly three years later.Keegan negotiated a contract worth £50 a week – Shankly had originally offered him £45.It marked the beginning of a glorious playing career where he won 63 caps for England – captaining the Three Lions on 31 occasions.The attacker won the First Division three times, the European Cup once and the UEFA Cup twice during a six-year stint at Liverpool.He then moved to Germany to play for Hamburg and was named European Footballer of the Year in both 1978 and 1979. He added to the trophy cabinet in Germany, too, winning the Bundesliga and reaching the 1980 European Cup final.Doncaster-born Keegan returned home after three years in Germany and spent time at Southampton and Newcastle – who he would later go on to manage. He rounded off his playing days with two appearances for Australian semi-professional side Blacktown City.Keegan scored 204 goals in 592 career appearances across six clubs in a stellar career.He guided Newcastle to the Premier League during the first of two stints at St James’ Park and came close to lifting the title, only to be pipped by Manchester United.In 1999 Keegan succeeded Glenn Hoddle as England boss but resigned in 2000 following a disappointing European Championship and a loss to Germany in the final match at the old Wembley.He would go on to oversee promotions to the top flight for both Fulham and City.