Saudi Arabia outfit Al Shabab set to sign Ghana’s Thomas Partey on one-year deal

Ghana midfielder Thomas Teye Partey is on the brink of signing for Saudi Pro League outfit outfit Al Shabab in the current summer transfer window.

The experienced midfielder landed in the Saudi capital, Riyadh early Monday morning as he prepares to complete the final steps of his transfer to the club.

Partey is scheduled to undergo his mandatory medical examination before putting pen to paper for the club. The 32-year-old is expected to sign a one-year contract with Al Shabab.

The Ghana deputy captain will join the Saudi outfit as a free agent following the end of his contract with Spanish side Villarreal, where he spent the 2025/26 campaign.

The move will see Partey embark on another chapter of his career after previously starring for Atletico Madrid and Arsenal. During his time with Arsenal, he made 130 appearances and found the back of the net nine times.

After leaving the North London club in 2025, Partey switched to Villarreal on a free transfer and featured 25 times across all competitions during his solitary season with the Spanish outfit.

The midfielder also remains an important figure for the Ghana national team and recently represented the Black Stars at the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America.

Partey featured in three matches during Ghana’s campaign as the West African giants progressed to the Round of 32.

His expected transfer to Al Shabab will give him the opportunity to maintain his competitive level ahead of Ghana’s 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign, which is scheduled to begin in September.

With the Black Stars aiming to secure a place at the next AFCON tournament after missing the previous edition, the experienced midfielder is expected to play a leadership role for the team.