Jota has sent Celtic fans an emphatic message after sealing his return to the club, telling them “I’m f****** home baby!”
The Portuguese wide man is back on a five-and-a-half year deal after the Premiership champions paid Rennes £8million to end his exile at the Ligue 1 club. Under pressure boss Jorge Sampaoli sent Jota to the bomb squad – along with former Rangers star Glen Kamara – as he looked to turned around the French strugglers fortune. The Argentine has brought in former Celtic strike star Kyogo in a deal that took the Japanese in the opposite direction to his former teammate in a deal thanks banked the Hoops £10million.
Now Jota is back at Parkhead after suffering a torrid time since his record breaking £25m exit to Al-Ittihad 18 months ago. The 25-year-old found himself almost immediately on the fringes after being left out of their Saudi Pro League squad.
Now his joy and donning the Hoops again and being back in Glasgow is clear to see. He took to social media after being unveiled as a Celtic player for the second time and left no-one in any doubt with his Instagram caption which simply read: “I am f****** home baby!”
Using more polite language, Jota was just as enthusiastic when speaking to the media. He said: “I’m buzzing. It feels like home and for me that’s something I was aiming for. Going to Lennoxtown felt nostalgic – like I’d never left. It’s never easy, all the decisions have ups and downs and you need to be smart. But once I had time to think I understood this was the best step for my career. It feels right”