Diogo Jota switch plan was within the works earlier than tragic Liverpool star's loss of life
View 2 PhotographsDiogo Jota was in talks with Porto a couple of potential return earlier than the Liverpool star's deadly automotive accident. The Portuguese ahead, who would have celebrated his twenty ninth birthday at this time, was travelling together with his brother Andre Silva in Zamora, Spain, when Jota misplaced management of his Lamborghini and crashed, killing each of them.
The incident despatched shockwaves by way of the footballing world and occurred simply 11 days after Jota married long-term companion Rute Cardoso. Throughout his time at Anfield, Jota scored 65 objectives in 182 appearances, serving to Liverpool win the FA Cup, League Cup and Premier League. He remained an integral member of the workforce however was supplied a transfer again to Portugal.
Former Chelsea supervisor Andre Villas-Boas, who’s now the president of Porto, revealed {that a} plan was in place for Jota to return to the membership the place all of it started, previous to his tragic loss of life.
Talking on the funeral of the 2 younger males, Villas-Boas stated: "Sadly, we had been working with agent Jorge Mendes on Diogo Jota's return to FC Porto, and it received't be attainable.
READ MORE: Diogo Jota's widow in heartbreaking tribute to Liverpool star on daughter's birthday
"It could be from 2026-27, and we had mentioned the chance. I made some extent of conveying that message to Diogo, by way of Jorge Mendes, at his wedding ceremony, and it was a dream for all of the Porto followers that it will occur."
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Paying tribute, he added: "Diogo has a historical past within the senior ranks, and Andre has a few years from the youngsters's ranks to the under-19s. They had been a lot beloved. We've come to pay our respects to the household. Diogo, particularly as the best public determine, was a silent hero. All of us appreciated him for all the things he stood for, not solely on the pitch but in addition off it."
View 2 PhotographsHe continued: "He was a companion of FC Porto with its Esports workforce. Somebody who will probably be remembered fondly, identical to his brother. Diogo wasn't a member [of the club], however he turned one at this time. I hope that each one FC Porto members perceive this transfer.
"In Andre Silva's case, we symbolically recovered his membership charges and gave them to his household. We supposed to depart the 2 membership playing cards right here. I did it as chairman of the board.
"Condolences to everybody, to the team-mates from Liverpool, Wolverhampton, Gondomar and P. Ferrreira. And Penafiel, who additionally misplaced a terrific mate. It's tragic and deserves a second of reflection."
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