Liverpool have announced that Diogo Jota's No.20 shirt number will be retired after he died in a car accident on July 3
Michael Edwards, FSG CEO of Football, paying tribute to Diogo Jota at Anfield
John Henry and Michael Edwards have released a statement alongside news that Liverpool have retired Diogo Jota's shirt number
(Image: Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
Liverpool's Michael Edwards and the club's leadership have paid tribute to Diogo Jota after news that his shirt number will be retired. The 28-year-old was killed in a car accident along with his brother – fellow professional footballer Andre Silva – in the early hours of Thursday, July 3.
The Liverpool striker and his 26-year-old sibling, who played for Portuguese side Penafiel, died after a tyre blew out on their car, resulting in a crash. Local police say he was attempting to overtake on the A52, known as the Palacios de Sanabria.
Tributes poured in for the Portugal international from across the world as fans, family, and friends continue to mourn. The Reds themselves have paid tribute by retiring Jota's No.20 shirt number at Anfield - the first time such a move has been made in the club's history.
And Michael Edwards, FSG (Fenway Sports Group) CEO of Football, has paid tribute to Jota via the club's website when announcing the decision. He also explains that the move involved a conversation with his wife and family.
“As a club, we were all acutely aware of the sentiment of our supporters – and we felt exactly the same way,” he said.
“It was vitally important to us to involve Diogo’s wife, Rute, and his family in the decision and to ensure they were the first to know of our intention. I believe this is the first time in Liverpool Football Club’s history that such an honour has been bestowed upon an individual. Therefore, we can say this is a unique tribute to a uniquely wonderful person.
“By retiring this squad number, we are making it eternal – and therefore never to be forgotten. Diogo joined us in 2020, he won us number 20, and he wore – with honour, distinction and affection – the number 20.
“As far as Liverpool Football Club is concerned, he will be forever our number 20.”
Liverpool and FSG's Billy Hogan, John Henry, Tom Werner and Mike Gordon collectively added: “The fact that in the long and storied history of our club this honour has never previously been bestowed shows the significance of Diogo to Liverpool Football Club.
“His memory and contribution will be immortalised by his association with the number 20. Our love goes to Rute, his three beautiful children and his family as they continue to grieve the loss of Diogo and André.”
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