Saudi Pro League club Al-Shabab have officially confirmed the signing of Ghana international Thomas Partey, the BBC reported.
The move takes the former Arsenal midfielder to Saudi Arabia after his contract with Villarreal expired, with the Spanish club opting not to extend his stay.
Partey, 33, spent five years at Arsenal after joining from Atletico Madrid in 2020, making 167 appearances for the Premier League side before leaving at the end of the 2024/25 season. He subsequently joined Villarreal, but became a free agent this summer after the club decided against renewing his contract.
His move to Al-Shabab comes as he prepares to face trial in the United Kingdom next year. Partey has pleaded not guilty to seven charges of rape and one count of sexual assault stemming from allegations made by four women over incidents said to have occurred between 2020 and 2022.
The legal proceedings also affected his involvement with Ghana at this summer’s World Cup. Canadian authorities denied Partey entry into the country ahead of Ghana’s opening game against Panama because of the ongoing criminal case in the UK.
Partey wrongly told officials he had never been arrested or charged with a crime. He later featured in Ghana’s remaining three matches at the tournament before the Black Stars were eliminated by Colombia in the last 32.
At club level, Partey will join an Al-Shabab squad that includes former Burnley captain Josh Brownhill and ex-Wolves winger Daniel Podence.
The Riyadh-based side endured a difficult campaign last season, finishing 13th in the Saudi Pro League. They have also made a disappointing start to the new season after losing their opening league fixture.
