Jota delighted to be back home in Paradise

Celtic Football Club is delighted to announce that Jota has returned to Paradise, the Portuguese winger signing a five-and-a-half-year contract, subject to international clearance, which will see him remain at the club until June 2030. The 25-year-old joins from French side, Rennes, where he has spent the past six months following time in Saudi Arabia with Al-Ittihad. It is Jota’s second spell with Celtic, having initially joined the Hoops from Benfica back in 2021, on a season-long loan. That first year proved to be a great success, with Jota playing his part in helping the club win the Scottish Premiership title and the League Cup. And after making his move to Celtic a permanent one, he was an integral part of the squad which won the Treble in 2022/23. In total, he scored 28 goals in 83 appearances for the Hoops and now he has returned to Celtic, joining Brendan Rodgers’ squad in the midst of what is already a very positive season. The player himself is absolutely delighted to be back at Paradise. Speaking exclusively to Celtic TV after signing for the club, Jota said: “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.“And Jota also spoke about the pivotal role manager, Brendan Rodgers, played in his return to Paradise. “The manager was crucial in me coming here because he told me what he wanted from day one,” the player explained. “We had really good discussions and we were very honest and, in the end, we believed in each other. “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.”