Jota was born in Lisbon on 30 March 1999 (age 27) and came through Benfica, with a loan spell away from the club helping to move him from academy promise towards senior football. A Portuguese left winger with good balance and end product, he joined Celtic from Benfica in August 2021 and quickly found a role that suited him.
His first Celtic spell was the one that made him familiar in Scotland. The 2022-23 league season was his most productive, with 11 goals in 33 appearances, and he was part of a side that won three Premiership titles, one Scottish Cup and two League Cups across his time at the club. There was also a Scottish Cup runners-up finish, though that is not usually the part anyone lingers on.
In July 2023, Celtic sold him to Al-Ittihad for around £25m, a fee that made sense on a spreadsheet even if it removed a player who had given the team width, flair and reliable output. His spell in Saudi Arabia was followed by time at Rennes, before he later re-established himself at Celtic.
Jota’s career has moved from Benfica prospect to Celtic influence, then through Al-Ittihad and Rennes before another Celtic chapter. His market value is around £4.5m, according to Transfermarkt.
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