The wait is finally over as Jota has returned to Celtic on a five-year deal. And the Portuguese winger insists he couldn't be happier as he takes the next step in his career.
The former Benfica star was a key part of Ange Postecoglou 's team last year after signing on loan and the club moved fast to trigger the £6.4million buy option in his contract. Talks have been ongoing over the summer and seemed to drag on while he was on holiday.
Record Sport revealed last month that Alexandro Bernabei would be announced first and that deal was confirmed yesterday. And the club today confirmed that Jota has returned on a permanent deal, committing to five years at Parkhead. Speaking to Celtic TV, the wing wizard says he couldn't be happier to get the deal over the line at last. “I’m feeling great. It’s a tremendous step in my career," he said. I’m really happy to have joined Celtic and I just want to give some joy to the fans, to our team and conquer as many things as we can.
"It was a great experience last season. I already knew, more or less, how big Celtic was but I think people only realise once you are inside the club and inside the structure. With the season that we had with all the winning and all the trophies, I think it was very good for everyone, and I just got to know the club in another perspective, and I just fell in love. So I think it’s a good time to be here and I just want to develop.
“I really missed the Celtic fans and Celtic Park, the atmosphere (during the close-season) and even the away games, I think they are terrific. It’s something that I was not expecting and it really pushed me. I just want to get back on the pitch as soon as possible and to do our thing because we want to do better this year, and we are going to do better this year."
The chance to work under Postecoglou again was a big part of why Jota signed on. He admits his all-action philosophy was attractive and is looking forward to kicking on again under the Australian.
“Ange has a philosophy of the game which wants us to be better in every training session and every game. So he aims for us to be better and better every week, and that’s something a player likes because there’s no point staying on the same level always.
“You want to develop, you want to be better and you want to achieve others things, and in here at the club we’re ready for that and we’re getting ready for all the competitions ahead. Pre-season is always a very important time for us to prepare for what’s ahead because during the season we don’t have the time to be meticulous about all our tactics or whatever.
'So we need to work hard now because this will be the place until the end of the season, and that’s what we’re going to look for, to get the mind and the body ready for what’s coming. Trophy day was amazing. Once we got to the celebrations, everyone just entered in a pure state of freedom and that’s what happened, and I just want that thing to happen a lot of times, to give the joy and the happiness to our fans, and let’s work. We are here to work.”
