Liverpool FC’s CEO of Football, Michael Edwards, and Sporting Director, Richard Hughes, have confirmed that the club will pay ‘meaningful tributes’ to Diogo Jota, following the tragic passing of the Portuguese forward in a car accident on Thursday morning, 3rd July.

Jota, 28, and his younger brother, André Silva, lost their lives after their vehicle veered off the road and caught fire in the Zamora region of Sanabria, Spain. It is believed the Lamborghini they were travelling in suffered a tyre blowout while en route to Benavente. Emergency services were called to the scene shortly before 1:00am, with the accident occurring at approximately 12:30am, according to reports from Zamora News and local authorities.

Edwards, who originally signed Jota for Liverpool in September 2020 during his tenure as Sporting Director, oversaw the Portuguese international’s transfer from Wolverhampton Wanderers in a deal worth up to £45 million. In a joint statement released alongside Hughes, the pair addressed the immense grief being felt by the club and Jota’s loved ones, while also outlining plans to celebrate his life and legacy.

Published on the club’s official website, the statement read:

“There is nothing that we can say in this moment to ease the pain of such a devastating tragedy. We all feel utterly bereft right now.

In such heartbreaking circumstances, it is our responsibility to acknowledge the collective grief we are experiencing, to pay tribute to our Diogo, and to offer unwavering support to his family who remain our absolute priority at this time.

Diogo’s wife, Rute, their three beautiful children, his parents and wider family are facing an unimaginable loss. This tragic accident has taken not only Diogo, but also his brother, André Silva. We mourn them both equally. We must respect the family’s privacy and give them the space to grieve in whichever way they need.

Of course, we – his Liverpool family – are also struggling to come to terms with what has happened. As his teammates, friends and colleagues, we are consumed by shock and sorrow. We know our supporters, his national team, former clubs and teammates and the wider football community share in this grief. This is a tragedy that transcends Liverpool Football Club.

In the coming days, we as a club will look to honour our beloved number 20 with the respect and affection he so richly deserves. We will strive to make these tributes meaningful and inclusive of our supporters, to whom Diogo meant so much.

For now, we express a love that is filled with deep sorrow and pain. We have lost someone truly irreplaceable.

Rest in peace, Diogo. YNWA.”

The club’s commitment to delivering heartfelt and inclusive tributes reflects the immense impact Jota had during his time at Anfield—not only as a gifted footballer but also as a cherished member of the Liverpool family.