Birmingham secure services of Spaniard for club-record fee

 

Birmingham have confirmed the signing of Jota from Birmingham for a club-record undisclosed fee. 

 

The Spaniard has penned a four-year deal with Harry Redknapp’s side. 

 

“The club has broken its transfer record by signing Spanish attacker Jota from Brentford,” a statement read on the club’s official website. 

 

“Harry Redknapp fought off intense competition to land the talented playmaker on a four-year deal. 

 

“Jota, 26, moves for an undisclosed fee, although we can confirm it is a new record eclipsing the £6m fee paid to Valencia for Nikola Zigic.  

 

“Jota's arrival comes less than 24 hours after defender Harlee Dean also made the switch from Griffin Park. 

 

“Jota, who joined the Bees in August 2014, began his professional career in his home country with Celta Vigo. 

 

“But after making five senior appearances for Vigo, and enjoying loan spells with Real Madrid B and Eibar (with whom he helped win promotion to La Liga), he moved over to England to link-up with Brentford on a three-year deal. 

 

“After initially struggling to settle with the Bees and suffering an extended period on the sidelines because of an ankle injury, Jota was allowed to return to Spain join Eibar on loan in the Spanish top flight. 

 

“Having scored 11 goals in 56 appearances for Eibar, he was recalled by Brentford at the end of December 2016. 

 

“He became a key player for Dean Smith's side during the second-half of the 2016/17 campaign, where as well as providing five assists, he also netted an impressive 12 goals in his 23 appearances.” 

 

 

Only Chris Wood (21) has been directly involved in more Championship goals than Jota (20 - 12 goals, 5 assists) in 2017.