Villarreal announce signing of Ghana midfielder Thomas Partey

Ghana international Thomas Partey has officially joined Spanish giants Villarreal ahead of the 2025/26 La Liga season.

 

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The 32-year-old midfielder signed a one-year deal to join the Yellow Submarines for the next campaign with an option to extend for a further year.

Partey is expected to strengthen manager, Marcelino Garcia Toral’s squad when they open the Spanish top flight season against Real Oviedo on August 15.

Villarreal, who won the Europa League in the 2020-21 season took to their social media handle to announce the capture of the former Atletico Madrid midfielder.

“Villarreal CF and Thomas Partey have reached an agreement for the Ghanaian player to join the Yellows for the 2025-26 season. The player will join the team starting tomorrow at the Ciudad Deportiva,” wrote Villarreal on their official website.

“Furthermore, the club is aware that the player is involved in legal proceedings in England. The player staunchly maintains his innocence and denies all charges against him. The club respects his presumption of innocence as a fundamental principle and awaits the ruling of the court, which will be responsible for clarifying the facts against him. Given British law regarding ongoing proceedings, the club will not comment further on this matter,” added the Spanish outfit.

The move comes days after Partey’s first appearance in a London court over allegations of rape and sexual assault by three women.

The former Arsenal man’s quest of playing in the Champions League was deemed an important factor in the proposed move to Villarreal.

The midfielder was on the radar of several clubs in Europe and Saudi Arabia, but has opted to return to Spain, where he gained prominence.

The Black Stars midfielder joined Arsenal from Atletico Madrid in summer 2020 on a five-year deal, making 167 appearances and scoring nine goals across the period.

Partey made 52 appearances for the Gunners last season, scoring four goals and providing three assists across competitions.