Ghanaian midfielder Thomas Partey has officially joined Saudi Pro League side Al-Shabab, signing a one-year contract to begin a new chapter in his illustrious career after leaving Spanish club Villarreal as a free agent.
The 33-year-old Black Stars deputy captain arrives in Riyadh with a wealth of experience, having enjoyed successful spells with Atlético Madrid, Arsenal and Villarreal across a 13-year career in European football.
Partey spent the 2025/26 season at Villarreal, making 32 appearances in all competitions, but the La Liga club opted not to renew his contract at the end of the campaign. Al-Shabab moved quickly to secure his signature, handing the experienced midfielder a one-year deal.
The move marks the first time the Ghana international will play club football outside Europe since leaving Ghanaian side Tema Youth for Atlético Madrid's academy in 2013. He went on to become one of Europe's most respected defensive midfielders, winning La Liga, the UEFA Europa League and the UEFA Super Cup with Atlético before completing a £45 million move to Arsenal in 2020.
During his five years in North London, Partey made 167 appearances for Arsenal and played a key role in Mikel Arteta's midfield before departing for Villarreal in 2025.
At Al-Shabab, Partey joins a squad that includes several familiar faces from European football, including former Atlético Madrid teammate Yannick Carrasco, as the Riyadh-based club looks to strengthen its ambitions in the Saudi Pro League.
Despite recent off-field legal proceedings in the United Kingdom—which Partey has denied and pleaded not guilty to—his transfer has now been completed, allowing him to continue his playing career while those proceedings remain ongoing.
For Ghana, the move could prove significant ahead of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, with regular club football expected to help the experienced midfielder maintain his important role in the Black Stars setup.
