Al Ittihad produce the most unhinged transfer announcement ever

Saudi Pro League champions Al Ittihad confirmed the signing of Celtic star Jota but did so with an utterly bizarre announcement video.

Al Ittihad have been extremely busy in the transfer market as part of Saudi Arabia's plan to completely turn football on its head.

Having already won the league last term, they've strengthened by bringing in France pair Karim Benzema and N'Golo Kante on free transfers.

And they've followed up with a third swoop, this time paying a club-record £25 million fee to snap up Jota, who has reportedly signed a whopping three-year contract that will see him earn £200,000-a-week.

Jota, who initially joined Celtic on loan from Benfica, scored 28 times in 83 games for Celtic and won back to Scottish Premiership titles.

Al Ittihad announced his arrival on Monday evening with a two-minute animated video which has racked up 2.8 million views on Twitter.

And it's easy to see why. The clip features a video-game like version of manager Nuno Espirito Santo sat at home watching Jota score for Celtic before he puts on a suit, gets in his car and drives to a shop.

Then, he is dealt a pack of cards containing of number Celtic players past and present and picks out Jota.

Image: Getty

He places him in a new pack alongside Benzema and Kanre, declaring, "We want to rule the world."

There was mass confusion online from fans, with many deeming it the most unusual method to announce a new player.

One said: "Babe wake up the most unhinged new signing announcement video of all time just dropped."

A second commented: "What a wonderful AI horrorshow this is."

A third wrote: "This is single handedly the most terrifying new signing video I've ever seen."

A fourth weighed in: "Help I’ve watched this horror film just before bed and now I think a cartoon Nuno is under my bed pulling this face."

A fifth had the same view, adding: "Nah cause why are the graphics so scary, like it’s a trailer for a horror film."

A final user summed it up: "Got to be the weirdest announcement video I think I’ve ever seen. I mean where do you start with this?"

Image: Getty

Jota's move is the second most expensive signing in Saudi Pro League history, with his compatriot Ruben Neves leading the way with his recent £47 million move to Al Hilal.

Benfica will receive £7.5 million from the sale due to a 30 percent sell on clause.

Topics: Celtic, Saudi Arabia, Saudi Pro League, Fan Reactions

Josh Lawless

Josh is a sports journalist who specialises in football and wrestling. He has been published by Curzon Ashton FC, Late Tackle, Manchester City FC, The Mirror, Read Man City and Manchester Evening News. He provides coverage of professional wrestling and has interviewed some of the biggest names in the field - including the first UK interview with The Hardy Boyz after their return to WWE. He has never sported a pair of Lonsdale Slip-ons, contrary to reports.

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