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Liverpool fans have raised more than $300,000 (£225,000) since the summer to help fund a cause in honor of Diogo Jota.
The world of soccer was rocked by the news of Jota and his brother Andre Silva’s passing back in July. The pair died after being involved in a car accident in Spain as they made their way to the UK, with the former Liverpool star having been due to report back for training on Merseyside.
Countless tributes have been paid since then, with Reds fans commemorating Jota during the 20th minute of every game so far this season after his shirt number was retired by the club.
Liverpool has continued to sell replica shirts with Jota’s name to supporters, with the proceeds from the sales going toward a grassroots football programme in his honor.
The club confirmed that all profits from shirts printed with Jota’s name, as well as commemorative T-shirts from club stores, have gone to the LFC Foundation, which has committed to setting up the programme.
A total of $305,226 (£226,995) has been raised so far, which the club has said will go towards establishing and maintaining the community programme, with further details set to be announced in due course.
Liverpool has also announced that it will create other permanent tributes to Jota, with the thousands of floral tributes left at Anfield over the past few months set to be composted and used in flower beds across all of the club’s sites, including the AXA Training Centre and Melwood.
Any remaining tributes will be recycled by a specialist company and used to create a memorial sculpture at Anfield. A temporary area of reflection has already been set up at the ground for visitors to continue paying their respects.
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Paying tribute to Jota back earlier this year, Liverpool boss Arne Slot said: "I could say so much about what he brought to our team, but the truth is everyone who watched Diogo play could see it. Hard work, desire, commitment, great quality, goals. The essence of what a Liverpool player should be.
"There were also the parts that not everyone got to see. The person who never sought popularity but found it anyway.
"Not a friend to two people, a friend to everyone. Someone who made others feel good about themselves just by being with them. A person who cared deeply for his family.”
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