Is Jota Leaving Celtic? Why Jota is Leaving Celtic?
by Alaguvelan M | Updated Jul 01, 2023
Who is Jota?
João Pedro Neves Filipe is a Portuguese professional football player who is more commonly known by his nickname, Jota. He was born in Lisbon on March 30, 1999. Jota began his football career in the youth academy of SL Benfica, one of the largest football clubs in Portugal. After progressing through the ranks of the Benfica academy, he made his debut for the club's senior team during the 2017-2018 season.
At Benfica, Jota was regarded as one of the most promising young talents in Portuguese football. He represented Portugal at the Under-19 and Under-20 levels and played a key role in the national team's success in the UEFA Under-19 Championship in 2018.
In August 2021, Jota joined Celtic FC in the Scottish Premiership on a loan deal with an option to buy. Jota quickly established himself as a key player for Celtic, scoring several important goals and providing a creative spark for the team. In September 2021, Celtic exercised their option to buy Jota, making his move to the club permanent. He continued to impress during the 2021-2022 season and was named the Scottish Premiership Player of the Month for September 2021.
In addition to his success on the domestic front, Jota has also earned international recognition. In October 2022, he received his first call-up to the Portuguese national team for the 2022 World Cup qualifiers.
João Pedro Neves Filipe or Jota is a talented young football player who has already made a significant impact in his career. With his skill, speed, and creativity on the pitch, Jota has the potential to continue making waves in Portuguese and international football for years to come.
Is Jota Leaving Celtic?
Yes, Jota's time at Celtic is coming to an end as he has agreed to make a move to Al-Ittihad, a Saudi Arabian club, for a substantial transfer fee of £25 million. Originally arriving on loan from Benfica in 2021, Jota swiftly won over the Celtic fans with his impressive performances. Throughout his tenure, he managed to score 13 goals and contribute 14 assists in 40 appearances, playing a pivotal role in securing both the Scottish Premiership title and the Scottish League Cup.
While Jota's departure would be a significant loss for Celtic, the club has demonstrated resilience in the face of such situations before and may use this as an opportunity to bring in fresh talent to strengthen the squad.
Celtic had expressed a desire to sign Jota on a permanent basis, but their negotiations with Benfica did not yield a deal. Ultimately, Al-Ittihad presented a lucrative offer, leading Jota to make the decision to embark on a new chapter in the Middle East.
Though Celtic will miss Jota's presence, they remain hopeful that they can find a suitable replacement among several wingers they have been linked with, including Jota's former Benfica teammate, Rafael Silva.
As Jota heads to Saudi Arabia, it will be intriguing to witness his performance in this new league. His undeniable talent and potential suggest he could excel in any environment. However, the Saudi Professional League presents a distinct challenge compared to the Scottish Premiership, making his adaptation and progress worthy of attention.
Why Jota is Leaving Celtic?
Jota has reportedly agreed to a move to Al-Ittihad in Saudi Arabia, sparking concerns among Celtic fans about his future. Some articles suggest that money might be a motivating factor for his potential departure. Nevertheless, there is no official announcement or confirmation of the transfer deal yet, making it challenging to determine the exact reasons behind Jota's potential exit from Celtic.
The financial incentives of the deal are rumored to be significant, which could play a major role in Jota's decision. Despite only being at Celtic for a season, Jota became a key player and a consistent performer for the team after joining on a loan deal from Benfica in 2021, followed by a permanent transfer for a reported fee of £6.2 million.
While speculation abounds, no official confirmation has been made about Jota's departure. These rumors have fueled speculation about potential issues between the player and the club. Players often leave football clubs for various reasons, including financial considerations, their role within the team, relationships with coaching staff and teammates, or seeking new challenges.
Until an official announcement or confirmation is made by Jota or Celtic, the exact reasons for his potential departure remain uncertain. Fans and club officials are closely monitoring the situation in the coming weeks to see how it unfolds.
Is Jota's move to Al-Ittihad in Saudi Arabia a 'done deal'?
Jota's reported move to Saudi Arabia has left Celtic with a decision to finalize the transfer fee with Al-Ittihad.
The shocking news emerged earlier this week, revealing the Saudi champions' pursuit of Jota, following their signings of Benzema and Kante. Though Celtic initially hesitated to sell, the substantial offer of £20-25m seems too enticing to resist.
For the player, the financial prospects are staggering, with a tax-free weekly income of £192,000 in the Middle East – an amount that surpasses what he would earn even in the Premier League. Now, it appears to be a matter of "if" rather than "when."
A prominent Arabic-language Ittihad news outlet with almost half a million Twitter followers stated that Jota has already signed his contract. Notably, transfer specialist Fabrizio Romano confirms a "full agreement on personal terms" between Jota and the club.
Celtic had paid £6.5m to sign Jota permanently just a year ago, and a 30% share of the profit will be owed to Benfica. Despite this, the Parkhead club stands to gain over £15m from the transfer of the Portuguese superstar
Is Jota Leaving Celtic - FAQs
Yes, Jota is leaving Celtic. He has agreed to join Saudi Arabian club Al-Ittihad for a fee of £25 million.
Jota's departure is a big blow to Celtic. He was one of their best players last season, and he will be difficult to replace. However, Celtic will be hoping that they can use the money they receive from Al-Ittihad to sign a replacement who is just as good.
The reaction of Al-Ittihad fans to Jota joining has been very positive. They are excited to see him play for their team, and they believe that he will be a big success.
Jota's future at Al-Ittihad is uncertain. He has only just joined the club, so it is too early to say how he will do. However, he is a talented player, and he has the potential to be a success in Saudi Arabia.
Jota's departure is a big loss for the Scottish Premiership. He was one of the best players in the league, and his absence will be felt. However, the league is still very competitive, and there are plenty of other talented players who will be looking to fill the void.