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 world so Jota won’t experience anything like that. But the Jeddah Derby against Al-Ahli is quite tasty.
Who manages them?
Jota’s Celtic team-mate Joe Hart might have a few horror stories to tell the winger about the man in charge - Nuno Espirito Santo. The Hoops keeper played under (or rather, didn’t) the Portuguese at Tottenham Hotspur.
The 49-year-old was manager of Spurs after a spell at Wolves. He started his managerial career in his homeland with Rio Ave before moving to Valencia and Porto. Former Hearts boss Ian Cathro has assisted him after the pair struck up a friendship after meeting on an SFA coaching course.
Are they the main team in Saudi Arabia?
Actually, no. Jota would go from playing in the dominant club in Scotland to the challengers in Saudi Arabia so that’s something he’d have to adjust to. Al Hilal are top dogs with 18 league titles and four AFC Champions League trophies but Al Ittihad are determined to challenge.
Who are the club’s owners?
Four of the leading Saudi Arabian clubs are owned by the country's Public Investment Fund, who also own English Premier League outfit Newcastle United and LIV Golf.
What big names have played for them?
You don’t have to look any further than the current marquee signing Karim Benzema who moved to the Middle East after ending his time at Real Madrid. But the club can also count legends Roberto Donadoni and Brazilian Bebeto among their former spells after the duo had brief stints in Jeddah. Ex Premier League names including Wilfried Bony, Sulley Muntari and Titi Camara have also been on the books of the club.
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