Mamelodi Sundowns retire Jayden Adams’ number eight shirt for 2026/27 season

Mamelodi Sundowns have retired the number eight shirt for the 2026/27 season in tribute to former midfielder Jayden Adams, who died in July at the age of 25.

The club announced the decision as a way of honouring Adams, whose contribution to Sundowns and its supporters will be remembered after his death.

“In honour of Jayden Adams, the number 8️⃣ jersey will be retired for the 2026/27 season. A fitting tribute to a player whose impact on the Yellow Nation will never be forgotten,” the club posted on social media.

Sundowns added: “The number 8 will forever carry Jayden Adams’ name, memories, and the place he holds in the Mamelodi Sundowns family,”

The decision means no Sundowns player will wear the number eight shirt during the upcoming campaign. The number will instead remain permanently associated with Adams as part of the club’s tribute to the late midfielder.

Adams died in July, aged 25, bringing an end to the career of a player who had represented the South African club. Sundowns described the retirement of his shirt as a fitting way to preserve his connection with the team and the supporters known as the Yellow Nation.

The Brazilians will begin their 2026/27 campaign on Saturday evening when they face Polokwane City in the MTN8.

That fixture will mark Sundowns’ first competitive match of the new season, with the club entering the campaign after choosing to honour Adams before beginning their on-field programme.

The number eight shirt will therefore be absent from the team’s matchday line-up for the season, while Adams’ name and legacy remain attached to it within the Mamelodi Sundowns family.

The tribute comes as the club prepares for its opening assignment against Polokwane City. Sundowns’ decision has placed Adams at the centre of the club’s preparations for the new campaign, with the retired shirt serving as a lasting reminder of the midfielder.

For supporters, the gesture ensures that the number eight will continue to represent Adams beyond his time as a player. Sundowns said the shirt would carry his name and memories, reflecting the place he holds in the club’s history and in the wider Yellow Nation.

The MTN8 match against Polokwane City is scheduled for Saturday evening, when Sundowns will officially launch their 2026/27 campaign.