Jota was born in Lisbon on 30 March 1999 (age 27) and came through Benfica before Celtic brought him in during August 2021, initially on loan. A left winger by trade, he arrived with pedigree but still needed senior football that actually asked something of him. Celtic gave him that, and he gave Celtic width, invention and a useful habit of affecting matches.
His first spell in Glasgow grew quickly from a development move into something more substantial. Wearing number 17, he became a productive part of the side, with his strongest league season coming in 2022–23, when he scored 11 goals in 33 appearances. Across his Celtic spells he won three Premiership titles, the Scottish Cup and two League Cups.
Celtic sold him to Al-Ittihad in July 2023 for around £25m. The move took him away from the platform where he had looked most convincing, and spells with Al-Ittihad and Rennes followed before his return to Celtic, where he established himself more fully again.
His market value is around £4.5m, according to Transfermarkt. Jota’s career has already had its detours, but its clearest work has come at Celtic: from Benfica prospect to productive wide player, with trophies and end product to show for it.
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