Thomas Partey joins Saudi Pro League side Al Shabab
By Nana Karikari, Senior Global Affairs Correspondent Thomas Partey has signed for Saudi Pro League side Al Shabab, the club announced on Friday. The 33-year-old midfielder joins the club on a free transfer. He spent last season at Spanish side Villarreal after leaving Arsenal. Al Shabab revealed the transfer on social media on Friday. The […]
Thomas Partey has joined Saudi Pro League club Al Shabab, the team announced on Friday. The 33-year-old midfielder will sign a free transfer. He previously played for Spanish side Villarreal last season after leaving Arsenal. Al Shabab shared the news on social media, describing Partey as a legend and stating the move felt right.
Partey arrived in Saudi Arabia after his time at Villarreal, where he played 32 games, including five in the Champions League. Villarreal opted not to extend his contract this summer. Partey's career includes stints at Atletico Madrid and Arsenal, where he made 167 appearances and scored 9 goals between 2020 and 2025. He joins Al Shabab, a squad featuring players like Josh Brownhill, Daniel Podence, and Yannick Carrasco.
Al Shabab finished 13th in the Saudi Pro League last season and lost their opening match. Partey faces five rape charges and one sexual assault charge in the UK, which he denies. His trial at Southwark Crown Court is set for June 8, 2027. Despite missing Ghana's opening World Cup match, Partey played in three of Ghana's games, including a scoreless draw against England.
The move aligns with other high-profile transfers in football, including Tijjani Reijnders to Al Qadsiah and Joao Cancelo to Barcelona. The controversy surrounding Partey's legal charges in the UK alongside his move to the Middle East has sparked debate about player market mobility and its impact on football dynamics across the globe, particularly in Africa.
Written by urgent.news from GBC Ghana's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
