James Milner chose to switch to the 20th Preton shirt for the new season as a personal praise of his former teammate for Liverpool Dyou Jota, who tragicly died last month.
The 28 -year -old Portugal died in a car accident in June alongside his brother, Andre Silva, just a few weeks after Liverpool’s assistance to secure the Premier League title.
In response to his death, Liverpool confirmed that the Gota No. 20 iconic shirt – which is worn during his five -year talisman at Anfield – will be permanently retired.
Three of those chapters with Milner spent before the experienced English midfielder left for Brighton in 2023.
Before the 2025-26 campaign, Carlos Baliba decided his colleague of the Brighton team to take the No. 17 shirt, leaving 20 available.
Milner, who was wearing 6th, since his arrival in the southern coast, has seen an opportunity to prove the gesture of respect.
“As soon as I heard that Carlos was looking to change his number and was 20 it was available, I wanted to do this as a sign of respect and was built with Diogo Jota,” Milner said in a message posted on Brighton X.
“It was a great player I was lucky to play with a great friend too.
“It will be a great honor to wear his number in the Premier League this year.”
The veteran midfielder, whose contract was renewed by Brighton in June, is now exceeding his fortieth birthday, one of his former colleagues who traveled to Portugal in July to attend the funeral of Gota.
Jota’s death left a permanent sign of the football world, which sparked a multiple greeting. #
Liverpool has already revealed plans to establish a memorial statue of the striker in Anfield, while wolves have pushed him to the Hall of their celebrities.
Clubs and fans across the country have also prompted their respect with moments of silence and souvenirs.
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