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Liverpool FC have announced that the club will retire the number 20 jersey across all levels of the club in honour and memory of Diogo Jota, who passed away along with his brother Andre Silva in a tragic accident a few weeks back.
Jota, who had featured in 182 games for Liverpool, had won the Premier League 2024-25 title with the club. The Portuguese striker scored 65 goals and assisted 26 times for the Reds across competitions.
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Moreover, he had recently won the UEFA Nations League with Portugal as well.
"After consultation with his wife, Rute, and family, the club can announce the squad number will be retired in honour and memory of Diogo across all levels, including LFC Women and Academy," a statement from the club read.
"The move is recognition of not only the immeasurable contribution our lad from Portugal made to the Reds’ on-pitch successes over the last five years, but also the profound personal impact he had on his teammates, colleagues and supporters and the everlasting connections he built with them," the statement added.
“As a club, we were all acutely aware of the sentiment of our supporters – and we felt exactly the same way,” said Michael Edwards, FSG CEO of Football.
“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," Edwards added.