Kelleher pays heartbreaking tribute to ‘best friend’ Diogo Jota

The pair became close friends while at Liverpool 

The football world has been in mourning since news emerged that the 28-year-old footballer had passed away alongside his brother Andre Silva in a car crash.

Many of the sport’s biggest names including Cristiano Ronaldo, Jurgen Klopp, and current Liverpool manager Arne Slot have all taken to social media to pay respect to Jota. 

Now ex-Liverpool goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher has remembered his friend, saying: "Jots. Can’t believe I’m writing this right now and I’m finding it hard to put into words. I’m absolutely devastated by this news.

“You became one of my closest friends in football. We bonded over all things sports watching any football match we could find often your brother Andre’s game on your iPad.” 

Just weeks before his tragic death, Jota had married his long-term girlfriend Rute Cardoso in a ceremony in Spain. 

Kelleher said: “All my thoughts and condolences are with Rute and their 3 beautiful kids and Diogo and Andre’s family. It was a such a pleasure to get to know you over these years and to share some special memories on the pitch and even more so off it.” 

"I feel so blessed and grateful to have seen you on your happiest day, the day of your wedding and to be able to share in that day with you was special. I’ll never forget it.

"You were deeply loved by everyone at the club, the city and all over the world.

"It’s gonna hurt for a long time and I’m gonna miss you so much but I feel so lucky to have got know you and have such a good friend."

Irish international Kelleher joined Liverpool in 2019, just two years before Diogo Jota, and made 25 appearances.

He departed Anfield for Brentford earlier this summer.