Liverpool to honour late Diogo Jota by paying out contract to family

Liverpool will honor late forward Diogo Jota by paying his full contract value to his wife and children.

Liverpool FC have reportedly committed to paying the remainder of Diogo Jota’s contract to his family following the Portuguese forward’s tragic death in a car accident in Spain. According to Record, the 28-year-old and his younger brother, Andre Silva, lost their lives in a fatal crash in Zamora. Emergency services confirmed both were pronounced dead at the scene. Jota had recently undergone lung surgery and had been advised not to fly back to England.

In a gesture of solidarity, the Merseyside club is said to be providing full financial support to Jota’s surviving family, including his wife Rute Cardoso and their three children. The couple had married just two weeks prior to the fatal accident. The contract payout reportedly totals £14.56 million, reflecting the wages Jota would have earned through to 2027, with his weekly salary understood to be £140,000.

Liverpool are also planning several tributes to the beloved forward, including the retirement of the No.20 shirt he wore during his five seasons at the club. A statement by Liverpool executives Michael Edwards and Richard Hughes expressed the club’s profound sorrow, calling Jota “truly irreplaceable” and promising meaningful tributes in the days to come.

Supporters have already begun paying their respects. Hundreds have visited the Anfield memorial, leaving flowers, scarves, and personal messages. Newcastle United fans, ahead of their season opener against Liverpool, are also planning a tribute, with Newcastle Supporters Worldwide encouraging fans to sing “You’ll Never Walk Alone.”

Jota joined Liverpool from Wolverhampton Wanderers in 2020 and played 182 matches for the Reds, playing a key role in their 2024/25 Premier League title win under manager Arne Slot. His passing has been mourned across the footballing world, with emotional tributes from fellow Portuguese internationals Ruben Neves and Joao Cancelo.