Jota has joined Celtic from Rennes and has signed a five-and-a-half-year deal at the club.
Speculation about Jota’s Celtic return took off after Kyogo Furuhashi brokered a deal to leave the Bhoys for Rennes which then paved the way for the Portuguese winger’s return to Paradise.
Celtic are said to have paid Rennes €8m (£6.7m) to secure the services of the Parkhead fan favourite and is likely to slot right into Brendan Rodgers’ Celtic first-team straight away.
Speaking about the move, the 24-year-old shares why the return to Celtic appealed and sent the Hoops fans a message after signing his deal at the club.
Jota’s message to the Celtic fans after securing return from Rennes
Jota told Celtic, “It’s very nostalgic for me because it was such an amazing feeling and all the moments that I felt through my two seasons here, and I’m just delighted to be back. I’m really excited and I just can’t wait to start.
“The best thing in Glasgow, besides Celtic obviously, is the people and I feel like I need a place with soul, where I feel at home. This is definitely something I was looking for, and I think there is no better match than Celtic.
“I’m so excited. The last year-and-a-half has had its ups and downs, but that’s life and that’s how football is. Now I just can’t wait to work hard, to get along with the lads again and just to flow.”
How Brendan Rodgers convinced Jota to return to Celtic
And it seems Brendan Rodgers had a big hand in securing the return of Jota to the club as the Portuguese winger praised his new gaffer.
Jota continued, “The manager was crucial in me coming here because he told me what he wanted from day one.
“We had really good discussions and we were very honest and, in the end, we believed in each other.
| Jota’s appearances | Played | Goals | Assists |
| Celtic | 83 | 28 | 26 |
| Al-Ittihad | 25 | 5 | 1 |
| Rennes | 10 | 1 | 1 |
“For me, that’s the most important thing – someone who believes in me and someone that I believe in. And I think it’s a really exciting time to be working with someone who has achieved so much and who is giving so much joy and happiness to the Celtic family.
“Times have changed with new team-mates and a new coach but the idea and the path that Celtic always aims for is to go forward and it’s here, it’s part of the DNA.
“I just want to come and help as much as I can and to contribute to the team and achieve big things, just like in the past.
“The aim is to win matches and give joy to the fans, and in the end it’s about winning titles and that’s what we are here to do.”
There is no doubt that when Jota returns to the Celtic first-team, he along with Nicolas Kuhn will terrorise their opponents and that thought will seriously excite the Celtic supporters in the second half of the season.
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