Thomas Partey Joins Al Shabab After Villarreal Exit

Thomas Partey has sealed a move to Saudi Pro League side Al Shabab, signing a one-year contract after leaving Villarreal as a free agent.

The Ghana midfielder became available in June when Villarreal confirmed they would not be renewing his deal. He had joined the Spanish club last summer on a free transfer following the expiry of his contract at Arsenal.

Al Shabab announced the signing on Friday with a short message on their official X account: “Just feels right,” as the 33-year-old became the latest high-profile name to head to Saudi Arabia.

Partey’s European journey has taken him from Atletico Madrid to Arsenal and then Villarreal. He spent five years in north London after arriving from Atletico in October 2020, winning the FA Cup and forming part of Mikel Arteta’s early rebuild before moving on at the end of his deal.

Star-studded Al Shabab squad

Partey will walk into a dressing room packed with familiar faces and Premier League experience.

• Josh Brownhill, formerly of Burnley, joined Al Shabab last year after a five-year spell at Turf Moor.
• Yannick Carrasco, his old teammate from Atletico Madrid, is also on the club’s books, giving Partey an immediate on-field ally from his La Liga days.
• The Saudi side, who have recently appointed Thomas Letsch as head coach, also boast Tin Jedvaj, Daniel Podence, Vincent Sierro and Yacine Adli among a cluster of former European-based players now plying their trade in Riyadh.

For Al Shabab, Partey adds bite and experience in midfield. For the player, it is another sharp turn in a career that now spans three major leagues and a World Cup.

Legal cloud hangs over move

Partey’s transfer comes against the backdrop of serious ongoing legal proceedings in England.

The former Arsenal midfielder is charged with seven counts of rape and one count of sexual assault in London, relating to alleged incidents between 2020 and 2022. The charges involve three women. Partey has pleaded not guilty and has consistently denied all allegations.

A trial was originally scheduled for November 2026 at Southwark Crown Court but has been postponed, with proceedings now due to begin on 8 June 2027.

Those legal issues have already impacted his international commitments. Partey started three of Ghana’s four matches at the 2026 World Cup, but missed the Black Stars’ group-stage game against Panama after his visa application to Canada was refused. Under Canadian law, foreign nationals can be deemed inadmissible even without a conviction.

So Partey arrives in Saudi Arabia with a heavy spotlight on him: a seasoned midfielder with Champions League pedigree, a fresh contract in the Gulf, and a court date in London that will shape the next chapter of his career.