Jota signed for Celtic from Rennes in a deal worth just over £6m this afternoon.
The Portuguese winger was ‘excited’ to return to the Bhoys after a two-year spell away from Celtic Park saw his career stall at Al-Ittihad and the French Ligue 1 club.
Jota signed a five-and-a-half-year deal at Celtic and is now tied to the club until 2030 which will give fans plenty of time to enjoy the Portuguese star on the wing.
With the deal finally concluded, when can Celtic fans expect to see Jota make his second debut for the club and can the fan favourite play for the club in the Champions League this season?
When Jota can make his Celtic debut and home appearance at Parkhead
Celtic’s fixture list is jam-packed for February so there is ample opportunity for Jota to make his debut. Unfortunately for Brendan Rodgers, he may need to wait a wee bit longer to unveil his new signing at Celtic Park.
Jota could make his debut for Celtic against Motherwell in the Fir Park clash on Sunday the 2nd of February.
That’s the first available domestic date the 24-year-old can appear in the green and white Hoops. Fans will need to wait a wee bit longer for his home debut, however.
Wednesday the 5th of February is the next date in the Hoops calendar where Celtic will face Dundee in the rescheduled clash that was postponed due to Storm Eowyn.
Jota will most likely be given his Parkhead swansong in front of 60,000 Celtic supporters.
What UEFA say about Jota playing for Celtic in the Champions League
With Celtic set to face Aston Villa in the final Champions League fixture of the season, Jota is ineligible to feature in that match as he is not registered with the European association.
But Celtic have secured a playoff place in Europe’s elite competition so is the Portuguese winger eligible to play? UEFA’s official website answers that question.
UEFA say, “Yes, if they get through the league phase. Ahead of the knockout phase, clubs can register a maximum of three new players by 24:00 CET on 6 February 2025.
“Any or all of the players from the above quota of three may have been fielded for another club in the qualifying phase, play-offs or league phase of the Champions League, Europa League or Conference League.
“The overall limit of 25 players on List A remains, though, along with the quota of eight locally-trained players.”
This is a double good news day for the Celtic supporters who will be buzzing about the arrival of a player they revered in his first spell at the club.
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