In a heart-wrenching development, Liverpool Football Club has announced plans to pay the full remainder of Diogo Jota’s contract, totaling £14.56 million, to his grieving family, following the forward’s sudden and untimely death.

The Portuguese international, who tragically passed away just two weeks after marrying his childhood sweetheart, Rute Cardoso, leaves behind his wife and their three children. In a deeply moving gesture, Liverpool has also confirmed that Jota’s iconic No. 20 shirt will be retired in his honour.

Jota made 182 appearances for the Reds after joining from Wolverhampton Wanderers in 2020 and played a pivotal role in the club’s 2024/25 Premier League title win under new manager Arne Slot.

Club executives Michael Edwards and Richard Hughes have promised that Jota’s career and contributions will be celebrated in the coming days. 

Meanwhile, Liverpool officials and fans have travelled to Gondomar, Portugal, to attend his wake, while thousands continue to lay tributes at the Anfield memorial site. Jota was just 28 years old.

 

May he rest in peace.