By BBC (Sports) | Created at 2025-01-27 14:05:48 | Updated at 2025-01-31 03:05:20
3 days ago
Celtic have secured the return of Jota from French club Rennes for an undisclosed fee, with the Portuguese winger saying he already feels at "home" again.
The 25-year-old left Celtic in July 2023 - for a reported fee of £25m - but failed to become a regular starter at both Al-Ittihad in the Saudi Pro League and then in the French top flight.
Jota has signed a five-and-a-half-year contract with the Scottish champions.
"The last year-and-a-half has had its ups and downs, but that's life and that's how football is," he told Celtic's website. "Now I just can't wait to work hard, to get along with the lads again and just to flow."
Jota had initially joined Celtic on loan from Benfica in September 2021 and, following a successful season, the Glasgow club triggered a reported option to buy of £6.5m the following summer.
He helped Celtic secure the treble in 2022-23 and had scored 28 goals in 83 appearances by the time he was tempted to Saudi Arabia.
Jota described his return as "very nostalgic", saying: "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."
He had been signed for Celtic by Ange Postecoglou but says current manager Brendan Rodgers "was crucial" in his decision to return.
"We had really good discussions and we were very honest and, in the end, we believed in each other," he said.
"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."
