Jayden Adams

Adams played as a defensive midfielder and also as a winger.

Club

Adams came through the academy of Stellenbosch and signed a long-term contract in August 2020, becoming the club's first academy graduate to sign a contract professionally. 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. In his two seasons with the team, Adams appeared in 67 games.

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. He did not appear during the 0–1 loss to Canada in the round of 32. Adams scored two goals in…

Club

International

Source:

Scores and results list South Africa's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Adams goal.

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.

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. Adams was found dead in Schotsche Kloof, Cape Town on 11 July 2026, aged 25, from undisclosed causes. His death was confirmed by his representatives and guardian, with family spokesperson Brendine Johnson requesting privacy on behalf of the family. On 13 July, Cape Town central police launched an investigation into Adams's death. 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.