Jayden Oswin Adams (5 May 2001 – 11 July 2026) was a South African professional soccer player who played as a defensive midfielder.

Early life

Jayden Oswin Adams was born on 5 May 2001 and grew up in Cloetesville, a poor area of Stellenbosch, South Africa.

Career

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

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 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.

Adams' international career started in a game against Mozambique in 2022.

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, but did not appear during a 0–1 loss to Canada in the round of 32. 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.

Adams scored two goals in 13 games for South Africa throughout his international career.

Personal life and death

Adams' 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 he played in the World Cup game against the Czech Republic.

Adams was found dead at a home in Schotsche Kloof, Cape Town, on 11 July 2026, at the age of 25, of undisclosed causes. 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 5 at the time of his death.

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