Jota ‘is left out of Al-Ittihad’s Saudi Pro League squad’ just two months after leaving Celtic in a £25m deal
Jota has reportedly been left out of Al-lttihad’s squad for Saudi Pro League fixtures this season, despite joining the club from Celtic this summer.
The Portuguese star winger left the Scottish giants to join Al-Ittihad in a £25m move confirmed in July.
But just two months later, it has been reported that Jota, 24, has been left out of the club’s squad for league matches, to make way for new signing Luiz Felipe from LaLiga side Real Betis – even though the Italian is a defender, not a forward player.
Al Riyadh sports journalist Hattan Al Najjar wrote: ‘Jota will be excluded from the list of [Al-Ittihad] professionals in the league, according to the new system.’
Luiz Felipe was signed close to the Saudi Arabian transfer deadline for a reported €22m (£18.8m), and it looks like it has caused Jota to move down the ranking at his new club.
Jota has been left out of Al-lttihad’s squad for Saudi Pro League despite joining this summer
The Portuguese star scored 15 goals for Scottish club Celtic before his £25m move to Al-Ittihad
Jota has played 133 minutes across five matches for Al-Ittihad, scoring one goal in the process
Jota has played 133 minutes across five matches for Al-Ittihad, scoring one goal in the process against Al-Wehda on August 28 – despite rumours that he’d already left by that date.
Celtic signed Jota permanently from Benfica for £7m in the summer of 2022 following a successful season on loan at Parkhead.
Jota claimed 15 goals in 43 Celtic appearances as the club secured all three domestic trophies under then manager Ange Postecoglou, who has now taken up the reins at Tottenham Hotspur.
Al-Ittihad had a busy summer, bringing in Karim Benzema, Fabinho and N’Golo Kante to the club, as well as Jota and Luiz Felipe.
Al-Ittihad are currently third in the Saudi Pro League, with four wins and one defeat from their opening five fixtures. They return to action after the international break with a trip to Al Akhdoud.
READ MORE:
