New Celtic signing Jota has revealed the special friendship between him and one Hoops player, having previously linked up before moving to Glasgow.

With Jota having started his career at Benfica in 2007 before breaking into the B team in 2017, another Celt has followed a similar trajectory.

That player is, of course, Paulo Bernardo, who began his career at Benfica in 2010 before breaking into the ranks of the B team in 2020. With Jota departing Celtic in the summer of 2023 for Al-Ittihad, coinciding with Bernardo’s arrival, this was no coincidence. Jota played a huge role in the Hoops’ central midfield’s move to Glasgow, with Bernardo joining on an initial season-long loan.

With Bernardo coming to Jota before the move to ask for advice on whether he should sign and how life is at Celtic, the Hoops’ latest signing gave a glowing report back then.

Bernardo was ultimately tempted to sign, leading to his impressive campaign last season, which showcased his unique style of play in midfield.

Bernardo has shown himself to be a more rugged player than some would have imagined from a Benfica academy graduate. However, against Rangers last season, he really stepped up with a goal in his Glasgow Derby debut, demonstrating that, in big games, he is the sort of player who can get Celtic over the line.

Jota also revealed how he has regularly spoken with Bernardo since and is excited to be lining up with his former Benfica teammate at Celtic.

When asked ‘You said you’re not much on social media, but Celtic fans have been going crazy about your return. Another Portuguese player, Paulo Bernardo, is also in the squad now. Do you know him well?’

The Portuguese winger told CeltsAreHere: “Yeah, Paulo is someone I played with when I was at Benfica. When he signed for Celtic, I stayed in touch with him, telling him I’d be here to help him and that he was coming to a very big club.

“It’s funny how life works in mysterious ways—one and a half years later, we’re back together and playing for the same team again. It’s amazing to have another Portuguese player here.”

For Jota, it’s yet another positive face at Celtic. Having previously linked up with the likes of Callum McGregor, Cameron Carter-Vickers, and Daizen Maeda in his previous spell, he is well known to a number of his teammates.

However, add the long-term friendship between him and Bernardo, and you have two players who have been friends for well over a decade.