Jeddah - players.bio

Who are Al-Ittihad? Jota suitors profiled as Celtic star targeted by oldest Saudi club once home to Bebeto and Donadoni

The passion of Parkhead or the pounds? The UCL or the AFC Champions League? Playing with Benzema or Bernabei? Taking on Rangers or Ronaldo?

These are just some of the questions Jota will no doubt be asking himself after it emerged the Celtic star is a stunning £25 million target for Saudi Professional League club Al Ittihad.

Plenty have questioned whether it is a move a player of his age - the former Benfica man is still just 24 - with the majority of his career ahead of him. It's generally accepted for stars coming to the end of their playing days such as Cristiano Ronaldo who is the poster boy for an emerging league. But stars are flocking to the Middle East and Jota could follow - with reported wages of almost £200,000 a week undoubtedly a factor. But who would he be joining?

Who are Al Ittihad?

Also known as Ittihad Jeddah, they are a Saudi Arabian professional club based in the port city of Jeddah in the western part of Saudi Arabia and the country’s commercial centre. Founded in 1927, they are the oldest surviving sports club in Saudi Arabia and has spent its entire history in the top flight. The Saudi Professional League was founded in 1976 but didn’t turn professional until 2007.

Where do they play?

Those who regard Saudi Arabia as a football backwater aren’t taking into consideration the fact that Jota would be playing his home games at a stadium BIGGER than Parkhead with crowds on the rise. The King Abdullah Sports City is the second biggest in Saudi Arabia and has a capacity of 62,345. And they are traditionally the club with the biggest support - consistently averaging more than 40,000.

But there will be nothing to rival the Old Firm derby?

Celtic vs Rangers is one of the most famous fixtures in the

Sporting Benfica Rangers as

Cristiano Ronaldo

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