Thomas Partey brings Premier League and LaLiga pedigree to Al-Shabab

Ghana midfielder Thomas Partey has joined Saudi Pro League club Al-Shabab from Villarreal on a free transfer, bringing a wealth of experience from Spain and England to his new side. The move was completed on 21 August 2026, with Partey’s contract running until 30 June 2027.

The 33-year-old defensive midfielder spent the 2025-26 season with Villarreal after leaving Arsenal on a free transfer. He now moves to Saudi Arabia with a career that includes top-level spells in LaLiga and the Premier League, as well as European success with Atletico de Madrid.

Partey made 188 LaLiga appearances, scoring 16 goals and providing seven assists, while his Premier League record stands at 130 appearances, nine goals and five assists. He also played 49 times in the Champions League and featured in the Europa League during his career.

His latest move continues a sequence of free transfers. Partey joined Villarreal from Arsenal in August 2025, having arrived at the London club from Atletico in October 2020 for a €50m fee. He spent six seasons with Atletico’s senior side after progressing from the club’s reserve team, with loan spells at Mallorca and Almeria earlier in his career.

During his time at Atletico, Partey won the Europa League in 2017-18 and helped the club claim the Spanish title in 2020-21. He also lifted the Uefa Super Cup with the Madrid side in 2018. At Arsenal, he won the English Super Cup in the 2023-24 season.

Partey’s most recent international involvement came at the 2026 World Cup, where he made three appearances for Ghana. He started 75% of Ghana’s possible matches and played 75% of the available minutes during the tournament, without scoring or assisting.

The right-footed midfielder, who stands 1.85m tall, adds a central presence to an Al-Shabab squad competing in the Saudi Pro League. His arrival follows his single season in LaLiga with Villarreal and represents the latest chapter of a career spanning Spain, England and now Saudi Arabia.

Partey has completed his free transfer from Villarreal to Al-Shabab and is contracted to the Saudi club until June 2027.