Takehiro Tomiyasu posts three-word tribute to Diogo Jota amid Arsenal contract announcement
by Sam Truelove · football.londonTakehiro Tomiyasu has paid tribute to Diogo Jota after the Liverpool star was tragically killed in a car crash in Spain.
Jota, 28, died along with his younger brother Andre Silva in an accident in Zamora on Thursday morning. Local police reported that the car the pair were travelling in on the A52, known as Palacios de Sanabria, left the road as a result of a blown-out tyre. Jota and Silva, himself a player for Portuguese side Penafiel, were making their way towards a ferry that was bound for the UK ahead of a return to pre-season training.
Liverpool said they are “devastated” at the “unimaginable loss” of the Portugal international, with all four corners of the footballing world paying tribute to the former Wolves man. The dad-of-three married his long-term girlfriend only last month and was part of the Portugal side who won the Nations League against Spain on June 8.
"For us as a club, the sense of shock is absolute," Arne Slot said in an emotional statement. "Diogo was not just our player. He was a loved one to all of us. He was a team-mate, a colleague, a workmate and in all of those roles he was very special.
“We need everyone at the club to stand together and to be there for one another. We owe this to Diogo, to Andre Silva, to their wider family and to ourselves.”
A number of Arsenal players have already paid tribute to Jota on social media, with Declan Rice, Mikel Merino and Bukayo Saka just some of the Gunners stars to send messages of condolences to his devastated friends and family. Tomiyasu also took to Instagram on Thursday night to pay his own respects.
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"Rest in peace," the Japanese defender wrote, alongside a picture of the Liverpool frontman. Saka wrote earlier in the day: "RIP Diogo & Andre. Such sad news. My prayers go out to their families and loved ones."
Tomiyasu's touching tribute comes after it emerged that the 26-year-old has agreed to leave the club after mutually agreeing to terminate his contract. Arsenal confirmed on Friday that the defender will leave the club with immediate effect.
The right-back is currently recovering from knee surgery and made just one appearance for the north Londoners last term - a six-minute substitute appearance against Southampton in October. It brings an end to his four-year spell with the Gunners, with Tomiyasu joining from Bologna in 2021 for £19.8million.
Andrea Berta and Mikel Arteta are already looking for defensive reinforcements this summer, with Valencia centre-back Cristhian Mosquera and Crystal Palace's Marc Guehi among their targets. Kieran Tierney has already left the club, with the Scottish international joining Celtic on a free.
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