Jota Silva has been speaking about his longer-term future, and Nottingham Forest were conspicuously absent from his plans.
The winger remains a Forest player while spending this season on loan at Olympiacos, courtesy of Evangelos Marinakis links. However, when discussing where his career could eventually take him, he made one destination very clear.
Jota does not expect to return to Portugal anytime soon. When that day eventually arrives, though, he already knows which club he wants to represent.
There was no mention of another attempt to establish himself at Nottingham Forest.
Jota Silva certain of Vitória return
Speaking to A Bola, Jota Silva was asked directly whether he could return to Portuguese football in the short or medium term.
“I don’t think about returning to Portugal in the near future. I’m not someone who makes long-term plans,” he said.
“But one thing I know for certain: I will return to play for Vitória de Guimarães. That’s a yes or yes. I really want that and I hope it happens.”
“I don’t have a particular year in mind. I prefer to live in and enjoy the moment. When that opportunity comes, it will be at the right time.”
It’s quite a commitment to Vitória, where Jota Silva spent two seasons before moving to Nottingham Forest in 2024 – and if you don’t know, Vitória de Guimarães shares their ownership with Aston Villa.
But what is really interesting is the absence of any suggestion that returning to the City Ground forms part of his ambitions. Not sure
Loan going well
Jota Silva also explained how happy he currently is at Olympiacos.
He has not been an undisputed starter, but he has still managed to make an impact when given opportunities. In less than three months, he has already played almost as many minutes as he managed throughout the entirety of last season.
He described joining Olympiacos as the right decision, particularly because he wanted more regular football after struggling for minutes at Besiktas last season.
“It was the right step. It allows me to be at a big club – the biggest in Greece, without any doubt – fight for trophies, play in Europe and have regular football.
“That was something I felt I was missing compared to what I experienced last year at Besiktas. It’s an incredible opportunity because of the club, what it represents and the chance to shine both in Greece and in Europe.”
The early numbers back that up.
| Season | Club | Appearances | Minutes | Goals | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026/27 | Olympiacos | 6 | 418 | 2 | 0 |
| 2025/26 | Besiktas | 20 | 587 | 4 | 0 |
He continued:
“I found an excellent group who welcomed me very well from the beginning. Having Portuguese players and Portuguese speakers there makes integration easier.”
“But everyone helped me. The Greeks are fantastic. I’ve already told the kitmen that I feel like I’ve been at the club for years. I’m doing very well and I’m very happy.”
Forest had already been ready to sanction exit
This isn’t the first time Nottingham Forest have been prepared to let Jota Silva go.
His move to Sporting in 2025 famously collapsed after the registration missed the deadline by around one minute. He has now confirmed that Forest, Sporting and the player himself all wanted to find a solution.
“At the time I really wanted to represent Sporting. Sporting really wanted me too, and I really wanted to work with Rui Borges again.”
“The opportunity came up and we all tried to make it happen. Everyone wanted the best possible deal – Sporting, Nottingham Forest and me. Everyone wanted me to be okay, I’m certain of that.”
“Nobody wanted to harm me, but these things happen in football. It hurt. Those first moments always stay with you.”
“I got up and went to training because our lives go on. If it didn’t happen, it’s because it wasn’t meant to be.”
Jota Silva remains in contact with Borges, although he says the pair no longer discuss that failed move.
Different Forest outlook for Gustavo Sá
Jota Silva also had plenty of praise for another player whose future belongs to Nottingham Forest.
Forest signed Gustavo Sá from Famalicão before sending the midfielder to Olympiacos on loan. The 21-year-old recently made it clear he is looking forward to joining Forest next season, giving him a rather different outlook to Jota Silva.
Asked about his Olympiacos teammate, Jota said: “He’s a young player with enormous quality, something he had already shown in Portugal.”
“He’s a Portugal Under-21 international and captain, which demonstrates his ability. Given the great player and man he is, he has everything to have a very bright future, as long as he continues working as hard as possible.”
So Forest have two Portuguese players developing at Olympiacos, but their paths currently appear quite different.
Gustavo Sá is openly looking towards the City Ground. Jota Silva, when discussing his own future, has his sights elsewhere – even if his promised return to Vitória is still some way down the road.
