Saudi Pro League club Al-Shabab have announced the signing of Ghana midfielder Thomas Partey, who arrives as a free agent after leaving Villarreal at the end of his contract this summer.

Partey, 33, spent five seasons at Arsenal between 2020 and 2025, making 167 appearances for the Gunners before departing. Villarreal opted against offering him a new deal when his contract expired, leaving him without a club heading into the summer transfer window.

Legal proceedings

The Ghana international is scheduled to stand trial next year on seven counts of rape and one count of sexual assault. The charges relate to allegations made by four women covering a period between 2020 and 2022. Partey has pleaded not guilty to all counts.

His legal situation created a significant complication during this summer's FIFA World Cup. Partey was refused entry into Canada ahead of Ghana's opening group-stage match against Panama, due to the ongoing criminal proceedings against him in the United Kingdom.

Partey also provided incorrect information to border officials, falsely stating that he had never been arrested or charged with a criminal offence. Despite the entry denial at the start of the tournament, he went on to feature in Ghana's remaining three matches. Ghana were eliminated in the last-32 stage, losing to Colombia.

Al-Shabab's squad

Al-Shabab finished 13th in the Saudi Pro League last season and lost their first match of the current campaign. The club's squad also includes former Burnley captain Josh Brownhill and ex-Wolverhampton Wanderers winger Daniel Podence.