Celtic have this morning announced the signing of Portuguese winger Jota on a five-year contract.
The now former Benfica man appears to have had an enjoyable break being spotted in multiple countries during his time off, even having a kickabout with the Hoops on during his holiday to Cyprus.
You have had to be patient waiting on this announcement but finally Celtic have got their man.
After signing for the Hoops on loan on deadline day last August, there was an option to buy fee within Jota’s contract which is believed to have cost Celtic £6.3 million, with a 30% sell-on clause included.
Huge credit must be given to Ange Postecoglou, Michael Nicholson and all those working behind the scenes to get this deal done. It’s evidently clear the manager has once again had a big impact on this signing.
“Ange has a philosophy of the game which wants us to be better in every training session and every game,” Jota explained, “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,” said Jota speaking exclusively to Celtic TV.
“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.”
So far, the Champions have been quick off the mark in the summer transfer window with the arrivals of Daizen Maeda, Cameron Carter-Vickers, Benjamin Siegrist and Alexandro Bernabei.
There has been terrific quality added to the team, with the club paying out large fees for two of our loan stars last season.
Both integrated superbly into the first team and were pivotal to the success under the gaffer, winning the League Cup and SPFL Premiership title.
Postecoglou emphasised the point of getting in the ‘right’ people in a recent interview with Celtic TV and there is no doubt that Jota fits that category.
The 23-year old made 40 appearances for the Hoops last season and contributed 13 goals along with 14 assists and knew exactly where he wanted to be playing his football next season.
“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,” he said of the close-season break, “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.
It’ll be fascinating to see how Jota also develops under the guidance of new Celtic coach Harry Kewell.
Huge sigh of relief now that we’ve got our man and can move on to other targets.
Trust the process.
What is it ? Four or five year deal ? Can’t be both !
Celtic have been excellent this close season!