Thomas Partey completes Saudi move as Al-Shabab confirm Ghana midfielder’s arrival

Thomas Partey has officially joined Saudi Arabian club Al-Shabab after leaving Villarreal at the end of his contract.

The Ghana international has signed a one-year deal with Al-Shabab, bringing his brief spell at Villarreal to a close. The 32-year-old midfielder made around 30 league appearances for the Spanish side before departing.

Al-Shabab announced Partey’s arrival, confirming the player would continue his career in Saudi Arabia after becoming available at the end of his agreement with Villarreal.

Partey’s move comes against the backdrop of ongoing legal proceedings in Britain. The former Arsenal player has been cited in a case involving allegations of seven counts of rape and two sexual assaults.

He denies the allegations and has pleaded not guilty to charges relating to three women.

The legal case remains separate from the football announcement, with Al-Shabab confirming the midfielder’s signing on a one-year contract. Partey now leaves Villarreal after completing the agreed duration of his deal with the club.

He joined the Spanish side for the final season of his contract after previously playing for Arsenal. During his time at Villarreal, he featured approximately 30 times in the league before making the switch to Saudi Arabia.

Al-Shabab will be Partey’s latest club as he continues his career in the Saudi Arabian competition. The Ghana midfielder’s arrival was formally announced after the conclusion of his contract with Villarreal.

No further details of the agreement were provided beyond its one-year length. The announcement confirms that Partey’s next club will be Al-Shabab, following his departure from Spain.

The allegations in Britain concern a total of seven alleged rapes and two alleged sexual assaults, with the case involving three women. Partey denies all the accusations and has entered not-guilty pleas to the charges brought against him.

His move to Al-Shabab therefore combines a change of league and country with the continuation of a legal process that remains unresolved. For now, the confirmed football development is that the Ghana international has left Villarreal and signed a one-year contract with the Saudi Arabian club.