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 matches this season, despite joining from Celtic this summer.

The Portuguese star winger left the Scottish giants to join Al-Ittihad in a fee of £25 million that was confirmed in July.

But just two months later, it was reported that 24-year-old Jota has been left out of the club’s squad for league matches, making 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 competition under the new system.’

Luiz Felipe was signed from Saudi Arabia just before the transfer deadline for a reported fee of €22 million, and it appears that this has caused Jota to drop down the rankings at his new club.

The Portuguese star scored 15 goals for Scottish club Celtic before moving to Al-Ittihad for £25 million

Jota played 133 minutes in five matches for Al-Ittihad, scoring one goal

Jota has played 133 minutes in five games for Al-Ittihad, scoring one goal against Al-Wehda on August 28, despite rumors that he had already left on that date.

Celtic signed Jota permanently from Benfica for £7 million in the summer of 2022 after a successful season on loan at Parkhead.

Jota scored 15 goals in 43 appearances for Celtic as the club secured all three domestic trophies under then manager Ange Postecoglou, who has now taken charge of Tottenham Hotspur.

Al-Ittihad had a busy summer, bringing 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 in their first five matches. They will be back in action after the international break with a trip to Al Akhdoud.