Jota, born in Lisbon on 30 March 1999 (age 27), came through at Benfica before loan football gave him the senior grounding he needed. A Portuguese left winger with craft rather than bluster, he arrived at Celtic from Benfica in August 2021 and quickly became more than a nice idea from the continent.
His first Celtic spell was his most productive period. The 2022–23 league season brought 11 goals in 33 appearances, and his contribution sat inside a proper run of success: three Premiership titles, one Scottish Cup and two League Cups. There was also a Scottish Cup runners-up finish. He wore number 17, played mainly from the left, and gave Celtic width, invention and end product without needing everything to be built around him.
In July 2023, Celtic sold him to Al-Ittihad for around £25m. That move took him into a very different football environment, and a later spell with Rennes followed before he worked his way back towards a more settled Celtic period. It was not a straight line, which is often the point with players who leave Scotland for bigger money and less obvious rhythm.
In 2026–27, he has made five league appearances and is still waiting for a league goal, though his form has been solid and consistent. His current market value is around £4.5m, according to Transfermarkt.
Jota’s career has moved from Benfica promise to Celtic impact, then through Al-Ittihad and Rennes before settling again into the shape of an established professional. His best football has come in green and white, where the trophies and the output give the story enough substance without needing much embroidery.
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