Jota has been handed a major update on his Al-Ittihad future amid reports that he could be in store for a shock exit.

The former Celtic winger moved to the Saudi giants this summer for a £25million fee, but the transfer has not gone to plan.

It is claimed that Al-Ittihad are keen to shift Jota out the door to free up space for more incomings, with the club heavily linked to Liverpool superstar Mo Salah.

Saudi Pro League rules state that teams can only have eight foreign players in their squad, meaning Jota could be on his way out on loan.

The Portuguese star has been linked with a shock move to Steven Gerrard's Al-Ettifaq and also an emotional reunion with Celtic, but it remains to be seen where he will end up.

Jota's hopes of staying at the club were handed a boost tonight though as he was named on the bench with Al-Ittihad in action against Al-Riyadh.

He has also been on the bench for the club's previous two fixtures in the Saudi Pro League, with his side winning both matches.

After leaving Celtic this summer, Jota penned a heartfelt farewell to Hoops fans.

He said: "No words will ever express how grateful I am for this ride. Let me tell you something...what a f***ing ride.

"I was scared, I had doubts and I didn't know what to expect from something that in the end turned out to be one of the most beautiful stories ever.

"People often ask me what is so special about Celtic and I think there's no straight answer, there's no fair answer for that.

"The answer lies in such a deep feeling, a sense, an emotion.

"There is this mystical fog flowing around Celtic Park that induces you to this sense of football edge.

"This football heritage gave us unforgettable moments. And you can't just explain it, you need to feel it, you need to respect it.

"I'm such a lucky man to have lived two years of full excitement and getting to evolve as a football player and as a person.

"To the players, to the staff and for all of the involved departments, a big thank you from me. You guys made me better.

"To the fans, and I always say this, you guys found a way of loving me more than my previous girlfriends. And I guarantee you that, we were crazy in love.

"For what matters, I think I have loved you more than them so believe me, I'll love you for life.

"I have recently learned that happiness is not found at the finishing line, it lies in the path. It definitely lies in the path.

"I'm grateful for every raindrop in Glasgow, every trip to the Highlands and wow, those were long, every bit of Glaswegian banter and so it goes on, so many stories, so many things to remember.

"Celtic will always definitely have a special place in my heart and one day my biggest dream will be just to sit down with my kids and tell them about how magical and special this place is because life is all about stories and this one was just unbelievable.

"Today, I become another fan, the ones that live and make the club. Forever yours."