Celtic have completed the return of Jota from Rennes while Kyogo Furuhashi has finalised a move in the opposite direction.
Japan striker Kyogo, who joined Celtic in summer 2021 at the same time as Jota, has signed a two-and-a-half-year contract with the club sitting third bottom of Ligue 1.
Jota left Celtic in July 2023 – for a reported fee of £25m – but failed to become a regular starter at Al-Ittihad in the Saudi Pro League and also a Rennes side who are on a run of five defeats in a row.
The 25-year-old has signed a five-and-a-half-year contract with the Scottish champions, who have a 10-point lead at the top of the Premiership.
“The last year-and-a-half has had its ups and downs, but that’s life and that’s how football is,” he told Celtic’s website.
“Now I just can’t wait to work hard, to get along with the lads again and just to flow.”
Jota initially joined Celtic on loan from Benfica in September 2021 and, following a successful season, the Glasgow club triggered a reported option to buy him for £6.5m the following summer.
He helped Celtic secure the treble in 2022-23 and scored 28 goals in 83 appearances before leaving for Saudi Arabia.
Jota, who played 19 times for Al-Ittihad and 10 for Rennes, described his return as “very nostalgic”.
“The best thing in Glasgow, besides Celtic obviously, is the people and I feel like I need a place with soul, where I feel at home,” he added.
