Jayden Adams

Jayden Oswin Adams (5 May 2001 – July 2026) was a South African professional soccer player who played as a defensive midfielder. He played for Stellenbosch, Mamelodi Sundowns, and the South African national team.

Early life Jayden Oswin Adams was born in Cape Town on 5 May 2001 to Candice and Juanito Adams and grew up in Cloetesville, a poor suburb of Stellenbosch, South Africa.

Career Adams played as a defensive midfielder and also as a winger. He made his senior debut later that month as a substitute in a 1–1 draw at home against Chippa United on 28 August. In six seasons with the club, Adams tallied 109 appearances and scored seven times.

In January 2025, Adams joined Mamelodi Sundowns, where he won the South African Premiership in his first season with the club. In May 2026, Mamelodi won the 2026 CAF Champions League.

International career Adams's international career started with the South Africa B team in a game against Mozambique in the 2022 COSAFA Cup. He scored his first international goal in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Lesotho. He was named to the South Africa squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. He featured in all of his team's group-stage matches in Group A during the tournament. He started in the game against Mexico in Mexico City on 11 June, which ended in a 2–0 loss, and against the Czech Republic on 18 June, which ended in a 1–1 draw. He came in as a substitute on 24 June, when Bafana Bafana beat South Korea 1–0 in Monterrey, in what would be the final match in his football career. Adams scored two goals in 13 games for South Africa throughout his international career.

Personal life and death Adams's close friend and former teammate Oshwin Andries was stabbed to death in 2023, and Adams dedicated his Sundowns medal to Andries. His grandmother, Marianna Adams, died on 17 June 2026, the day before South Africa's World Cup encounter with Czech Republic. His death was confirmed by his representatives and guardian, with family spokesperson Brendine Johnson requesting privacy on behalf of the family.

Adams and his partner, Aqueelah Adendorf, had a daughter who was aged five at the time of his death. Adams also had a son with Jody Solomons, Jude Sage, who was born in August 2024.

FIFA held a moment of silence in Adams's honour during the 2026 FIFA World Cup quarterfinals with Norway vs. England and Argentina vs. Switzerland on 11 July.

Career statistics

Club + Appearances and goals by club, season and competition

Honours Stellenbosch FC Carling Knockout Cup: 2023

Mamelodi Sundowns CAF Champions League: 2025–26