Thomas Partey has landed in Riyadh as he closes in on a free transfer to Saudi Pro League club Al Shabab, with the experienced midfielder set to undergo a medical examination on Friday before completing the move.
Should he pass the assessment, Partey will put pen to paper on a one-year contract, beginning a new chapter in his career away from European football.
The 32-year-old arrives as a free agent following the expiry of his one-year contract at Villarreal, where he spent the 2025/26 season after leaving Arsenal.
His arrival in the Saudi capital has been widely reported by outlets l, with the move expected to be finalised once medical formalities are complete.
Al Shabab, one of the established sides in the Saudi Pro League, are the latest Gulf club to turn to Ghanaian talent as the Saudi League continues to attract experienced performers from Europe’s top five leagues.
Partey’s move to Saudi Arabia brings the curtain down on a five-year association with Arsenal that began in October 2020, when he joined from Atletico Madrid. At the Emirates Stadium, the defensive midfielder established himself as a regular fixture in Mikel Arteta’s engine room, known for his ball-winning ability, range of passing, and driving runs from deep.
Across his time in north London, Partey made 130 appearances for the Gunners and scored nine goals, featuring prominently as Arsenal returned to Champions League football and mounted sustained Premier League title challenges.
Injuries interrupted spells of his Arsenal career in its later years, but he remained a trusted option for Arteta when fit, before departing the club in 2025 at the end of his contract.
One Season in La Liga with Villarreal
Following his Arsenal exit, Partey moved to Spain to join Villarreal on a free transfer ahead of the 2025/26 campaign.
The Yellow Submarine gave Partey a platform to continue playing at a competitive level in La Liga, and he went on to make 25 appearances across all competitions during his single season at the club before his contract expired this summer.
His move to Al Shabab now represents his third destination in as many years, following a career that has also included spells at Atletico Madrid, where he first made his name in Spanish and European football before his big-money move to Arsenal.
Partey’s switch to the Middle East comes as Ghana’s Black Stars prepare for their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign, set to begin in September. As deputy captain, the experienced midfielder is expected to continue playing a leadership role for the national team as Ghana look to secure a place at the tournament having missed out on the previous edition.
A move to the Saudi Pro League will allow Partey to maintain regular competitive football ahead of the qualifiers, with the switch offering a fresh environment after a difficult final stretch of his European career marked by injury setbacks.