James Milner will wear Diogo Jota’s old shirt number for Brighton next season.
The former Liverpool star will pay tribute to his ex-team-mate following his tragic death last month.
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Jota passed away aged 28 on July 3 following a car crash in Spain which also claimed the life of his brother Andre Silva.
Tributes have since flooded in from the world of football with the Reds honouring their Premier League title winner.
The club have confirmed Jota’s number 20 shirt will be retired across all their men’s, women’s and youth teams.
Meanwhile, Milner will now don the shirt number for Brighton during the 25/26 campaign.
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He has swapped from the No.6 after Carlos Baleba’s shirt change freed up the No.20.
Baleba will wear the No.17 for Fabian Hurzeler’s side next term, the club have confirmed.
Explaining his decision, Milner told Brighton’s media channels: “Once I heard Carlos was looking to change his number and 20 was available.
“I wanted to do it as a mark of respect and obviously pay tribute to Diogo Jota, who was an amazing player I was fortunate to play with and a great friend as well.
“(It will) be a great honour to wear his number in the Premier League this year.”
Milner joined the Seagulls from Liverpool in 2023 after eight years at Anfield.
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During his time with the Reds, the former England international lined up alongside Jota on 71 occasions.
The pair also won both the FA Cup and League Cup together in 2022.
Milner penned a one-year contract extension on the South Coast earlier this summer to keep him at Brighton for the upcoming season.
It followed his recovery from a serious knee injury which had ruled him out for much of the previous campaign.
Liverpool retire Jota’s number
Liverpool confirmed last month that the No.20 shirt will remain Jota’s forever following his tragic passing.
The Reds announced that the shirt will be retired at all levels across their men’s, women’s and youth teams.
Watch the emotional scenes as Liverpool’s players and fans remember Diogo Jota after his passing in their first game of pre-season
In a statement, the club said: “It was the number he wore with pride and distinction, leading us to countless victories in the process – and Diogo Jota will forever be Liverpool Football Club’s number 20.
“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.”
Jota spent five years with Liverpool after signing from Wolves in 2020.
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During that time he scored 65 goals and provided 26 assists in 182 appearances across all competitions.
The Portuguese also won four trophies including the Premier League title last season.
