West Brom pay tribute as Liverpool star Diogo Jota dies in car crash
West Brom have paid tribute to Diogo Jota and Andre Silva after it was sadly announced that the two footballers have died in a car crash in Spain.
News broke on Thursday morning that Jota, 28, and Silva, 25, had passed away in the Spanish province of Zamora around 00:30 local time on 3 July.
Jota won the Premier League title with Liverpool last season before lifting the Nations League with Portugal.
The former Wolves forward has three children with his long-time partner Rute Cardoso, who he married last month.
Silva had been playing for FC Penafiel in Portugal’s second tier. He’s previously been on the books of Porto and Boavista.
Liverpool ‘devastated’ as Jota dies, aged 28
Liverpool and the Portuguese FA have since confirmed initial reports by Spanish newspaper Marca that Jota died in the early hours of Thursday morning.
The Premier League champions said in a statement: “Liverpool Football Club are devastated by the tragic passing of Diogo Jota.
“The club have been informed the 28-year-old has passed away following a road traffic accident in Spain along with his brother, Andre.
“Liverpool FC will be making no further comment at this time and request the privacy of Diogo and Andre’s family, friends, teammates and club staff is respected as they try to come to terms with an unimaginable loss.
“We will continue to provide them with our full support.”
West Bromwich Albion’s official X account responded to Liverpool’s heartbreaking update by saying: “The thoughts of everyone at West Bromwich Albion are with Diogo and Andre’s family, friends and loved ones, as well as all associated with Liverpool at this desperately sad time.
“May they rest in peace.”
Football clubs pay tribute as Jota and his brother Silva die in car crash
Liverpool’s Merseyside rivals Everton have changed their social media profiles to a black and white badge and reacted to the news by saying: “We are devastated by this tragic news. Everyone at Everton is sending their thoughts and condolences to the family and friends of Diogo and André Silva.”
Jota’s former clubs Atletico Madrid and Porto also paid tribute to the Portugal international.
Atletico said on X: “Atlético de Madrid is shocked by the tragic news of the passing of Diogo Jota, former club player, and his brother André.
“We send our deepest condolences to their family and loved ones.
“Rest in peace.”
Porto said: “FC Porto is in mourning. It is with shock and deep sorrow that we send our heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of Diogo Jota and his brother André Silva, who was also our athlete in the youth ranks.
“Rest in peace.”
Jota began his senior career with Pacos de Ferreira in Portugal in 2014.
He joined Atletico in 2016 but his time in the Spanish capital was short-lived as he spent his two years on the books there on loan at Porto and Albion’s Black Country rivals Wolves.
After a season-long loan at Molineux resulted in winning the 2017/18 Championship title, Wolves signed Jota permanently in 2018 before he joined Liverpool in 2020.
At Anfield, the Porto-born attacker scored 65 goals in 182 appearances, winning the FA Cup and EFL Cup and starring in the Champions League final in 2021/22 before lifting the Premier League title in 2024/25.
For Portugal, he won 49 caps and won the Nations League twice.
Everyone at West Brom News sends their love and thoughts to all the family and friends of Diogo and Andre.