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The National (Scotland)
The National (Scotland)
Sport
Aidan Smith

Jota told Al Ittihad fans will rival Celtic for atmosphere as £25m transfer defended

Jota has been told to expect some wild atmospheres when he turns out for Al Ittihad in Saudi Arabia next year.

The 24-year-old makes the permanent switch following two years in Glasgow, having spent one season on loan from Benfica before signing a permanent contract.

Jota helped Celtic to two league titles during his time with the club, scoring 27 goals over a two-year spell in all competitions.

He follows a number of high-profile players in joining the Saudi Pro League and becomes Al-Ittihad’s third signing of the summer after former Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema and ex-Chelsea midfielder N’Golo Kante signed for the club.

Former Ross County midfielder Filip Kiss spent five years in Saudi with Steven Gerrard's new team Al Ettifaq, and he has told Jota to expect fireworks at the 62,000-seater King Abdullah Sports City stadium.

He said: "The standard of the football is much better than it was and the standard of life too. One of the top clubs, Al Hilal, have reached the Asian Champions League final in four of the last six seasons.

"They play in front of 50,000 most weeks, and the club Jota has gone to get really good crowds. The Al Ittihad fans are the most passionate in the country. They had 60,000 turn out just for the arrival of Benzema and that's quite normal.

"In my first season, my club Al Ettifaq played against Al Ittihad in the Cup. I scored but they beat us 2-1 in extra-time and there were 60,000 there going crazy. It was actually quite like playing for Ross County at Celtic Park in terms of the support.

"So in terms of interest and fans it won't be too different from Celtic for Jota - just maybe a little warmer! Football is the number one sport in the country - only camelracing is close!

"But when I first went I couldn't have foreseen a scenario where Ronaldo was going there to play and Steven Gerrard was going to manage.

"He's actually gone to take charge at my old club so that's really exciting for them and I know the guys at the club are looking forward to working under him.

"Saudi society is much more open now. It used to be that if my wife Veronika went out in public she had to wear an abaya, the cloak that covers the arms and body. But that has all changed now."

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