Jota: I am buzzing to be home and can't wait to get started | OneFootball

The news of Jota’s return to Paradise has been met with equal amounts of joy and excitement from the Celtic faithful, with the Portuguese winger signing a five-and-a-half-year deal with the Scottish champions.

And, after his glittering first spell with the club, it’s no wonder that there is so much happiness surrounding his arrival back at Celtic Park.

First time around, Jota was a pivotal player as the Celts racked up back-to-back titles, securing a league and League Cup double and then an historic domestic Treble over his two seasons with the Hoops.

He scored 28 goals in 83 appearances throughout that time, lighting up matches with the type of magical skill and creativity that are synonymous with great Celtic wingers.

And the excitement about his return to Celtic Park isn’t just felt by the Celtic support, with Jota himself admitting that it feels good to be home.

Speaking to the media at Celtic Park this afternoon, the Portuguese winger shared his own joy at being back in Glasgow’s East End as he looks forward to making an impact in the green and white again.

“I am buzzing,” he said. “It feels like home and for me, that’s something I was aiming for.

“Today, going to Lennoxtown and to training, it felt nostalgic, but it felt like I had never left, that’s the feeling at the moment.

“It’s been a year-and-a-half with some difficulties, mainly on the pitch where I didn’t have a lot of opportunities to play.

“Physically, it’s not my best moment, but that will come quickly with minutes, gametime and training, and I can’t wait for it.

“There’s definitely a lot of talent here, there’s room for improvement and under the orders of Brendan, there’s a good environment to develop and to win stuff.

“Once I had the time to think on it and I understood that this was the best step for my career, I felt like ‘okay, let’s go for it once again’, and it just feels right.”

Jota’s arrival will help to bolster Celtic's first-team squad as they continue on their quest for a fourth consecutive title, aim to retain the Scottish Cup and look to progress beyond the play-offs in the UEFA Champions League.

And for Hoops boss, Brendan Rodgers, a player of Jota’s quality will be a welcome addition to the squad as the big games continue to come thick and fast for the champions.

Brendan Rodgers and Jota were like ships passing in the night when the Celtic boss arrived in the summer of 2023, around the same time that Jota departed the club for pastures new, but the Portuguese winger has said that the manager was pivotal in making the move a reality as he spoke about his excitement at working with the Celtic manager.

He added: “Brendan was a key part of the move. I’ve spoken to him a couple of times and I think he understood my position and I understood his ideas and philosophy.

“I think he’s a great manager for Celtic and we’re on the move to make great things, so I’m very excited to work with him.

“Celtic have a very specific way of playing, a dominant way - attacking, scoring goals, giving joy and happiness to the fans.

“That’s all I’ve dreamed of since I was a young guy, and now I have the opportunity to do it again in such a wonderful club.”