Liverpool have announced plans to retire the number 20 jersey worn by the late Diogo Jota at all levels to honour his contributions to the team in the last five years.
The retirement applies to the club at all levels, including men’s first team, women’s team, and all academy levels.
The Reds confirmed in a statement on their website on Friday that after consultation with Jota’s wife, Rute, and family, the number 20 jersey will be retired across all levels.
The statement read: “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.
“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.”
Similarly, Liverpool CEO, Michael Edwards revealed that Jota will never be forgotten while highlighting the importance of retiring the jersey number in his honour.
He said: “As a club, we were all acutely aware of the sentiment of our supporters – and we felt exactly the same way.
“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.”
This is the first time Liverpool have retired a player’s number throughout their 133-year history.
Jota was on his way to England to start preparations for the new season when he was involved in a ghastly crash alongside his brother, Andre Silva last Thursday.
Liverpool players and staff paid their last respects to Jota, and Andre at a public wake in Portugal on Friday.
Jota joined Liverpool from Wolves in 2020 and made 182 appearances for the Reds, scoring 65 goals, and recording 26 assists.
He was part of the Liverpool squad that won the Premier League title last season and previously won the FA Cup and two League Cups.
