Molineux will unite in tribute to Diogo Jota and his younger brother André Silva ahead of Wolves’ Premier League opener against Manchester City on Saturday evening.
Last weekend’s pre-season friendly against Celta Vigo saw Wolves remember the brothers with a floral wreath laid by chairman Jeff Shi and club officials, followed by a minute’s silence. But with this Saturday marking the first competitive fixture since their tragic passing, the tributes will be larger, more visible, and shared with a global audience as Sky Sports’ live 5.30pm kick-off.
Supporters are encouraged to arrive early to take part and pay their own respects to a hugely popular figure both on and off the pitch during his three memorable years at Molineux.
Among the most striking tributes will be a tifo, which will be revealed in front of the South Bank during player handshakes pre-match. The project has been led by supporter group Old Gold Pack, who have been fundraising over the past month to honour Diogo.
Thanks to generous donations from Wolves fans and the wider football community, co-founder Kieran Newey and his team have created a tribute designed to resonate both inside Molineux and with those watching around the world.
“We wanted to honour Diogo and show what he meant to Wolves fans and to Wolverhampton,” said Newey. “Football fans come together at times like this to really show the true love they have for players and for football clubs, and we've had donations from across football, but Wolves fans in particular.
“Diogo was one of the legends who helped turn the club around when we really needed it. We wanted to show his family, and everyone who loved him, exactly what he meant to us. It’s going to be emotional for everyone, in the stadium and watching at home, but we believe we’ll get it right.”
The tifo will be framed by a gold and black mosaic filling the South Bank. Once the players are on the pitch, Diogo’s favourite song, Fields of Gold by Sting will precede a minute’s applause – the final pre-match tribute.
A special 100-page commemorative programme, featuring exclusive interviews and tributes, has been produced for the fixture (click here to purchase) to commemorate Diogo, who has also been inducted into the club’s Hall of Fame.
Following the tragedy, the Billy Wright Statue became a powerful focal point for fans to pay their respects, and all non-perishable items from that display were carefully stored, with a selection to be displayed permanently in the Wolves Museum.
Floral tributes were also collected; and selected blooms are currently being turned into ink for a future artistic tribute, while the remaining flowers were composted to help nurture green spaces at Compton Park and Molineux.
