Jota admits Champions League football key to permanent Celtic signing

Portuguese winger Jota revealed the key part that Champions League football played in his decision to sign for Celtic on a permanent deal.

The 23-year-old moved to Glasgow on loan from Benfica last season and scored 13 goals to help the Hoops to a cinch Premiership and Premier Sports Cup double.

It was Ange Postecoglou’s first season as Celtic boss and the reward for the title win was a place in the Champions League group stages.

After weeks of speculation about his future, Jota signed a five-year deal with Celtic for a fee reported to be £6.4million and at his Parkhead press conference, he spoke candidly about the importance of Champions League football.

He said: “Champions League is probably the best club competition in the world.

“Of course it is always a trigger for a player to come and play in the Champions League, we have to be honest about that and I am no exception.

“It is something that I really like and everyone kept saying me, ‘Jota, it is something special so you better stay at Celtic’.

“I have already made my debut in the Champions League with Benfica.

“I know the atmosphere and the feeling but every club is different so here it will be different.”

Jota also spoke about the “amazing” experience he had last season in the context of his return to Glasgow.

He said: “The club speaks for itself and the experience I had last season was amazing so it was an easy choice to make.

“I am really happy that I am staying here, that’s what I wanted and I just can’t wait to develop more under the team and to conquer a lot of things.

“There is no moment when you just blink and think, ‘yes, now I am going to stay.’ It was just natural.

“During the week, the months, the year, I felt, ‘okay, I should stay here’ and I am really