Thomas Partey
Who was Thomas Partey?
Defensive midfielder for Arsenal and the Ghana national team, known for his work rate and box-to-box playing style. He moved from Atlético Madrid to Arsenal in 2020 for a club-record fee.
Biographical data adapted from Wikipedia’s article on Thomas Partey (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Biography
Thomas Teye Partey was born on June 13, 1993, in Odumase Krobo, Ghana. He became a professional footballer known for playing as a defensive midfielder, with a strong work ethic and ability to cover the field. He started his career with Spanish club Atlético Madrid in 2013, spending time on loan at Mallorca and Almería before becoming a regular at Atlético in 2015.
While at Atlético Madrid, Partey achieved notable success. He was part of the team that won the UEFA Europa League and UEFA Super Cup in 2018, and he played in the 2016 UEFA Champions League final. His performances led to recognition as one of Africa's top players, earning him a spot on the CAF Team of the Year in 2018 and Ghana Player of the Year awards in 2018 and 2019.
In 2020, Partey made a notable move to Arsenal for £45 million (€50 million), setting a record as the most expensive Ghanaian player at that time. This move was a big investment by Arsenal and showed Partey's standing as a top European defensive midfielder. He spent five seasons at Arsenal, played in 167 matches, and won the Community Shield in 2023.
Internationally, Partey has been a regular for Ghana, playing in the Africa Cup of Nations in 2017, 2019, and 2021. He also represented Ghana at the 2022 FIFA World Cup, playing in this major football event. In July 2025, Partey joined Villarreal in La Liga, continuing his career in Spanish football. However, his career has been marred by serious legal problems, as he was charged by the Crown Prosecution Service in July 2025 with multiple counts of rape and sexual assault related to incidents in London between 2020 and 2022, with more charges added in February 2026.
Before Fame
Growing up in Odumase Krobo, a town in the Eastern Region of Ghana, Partey came up during a time when Ghanaian football was producing talented players making their mark in European leagues. He started his journey to professional football in Ghana's youth development system before moving to Europe as a teenager.
The early 2010s were a great time for Ghanaian football, with players like Michael Essien and Sulley Muntari paving the way for the next generation in top European competitions. Partey joined Atlético Madrid's youth system in 2013, at a time when Spanish clubs were increasingly interested in African talent, especially in midfield positions where both technical skill and physical strength were important.
Key Achievements
- Won UEFA Europa League and UEFA Super Cup with Atlético Madrid in 2018
- Named Ghana Player of the Year in 2018 and 2019
- Selected for CAF Team of the Year in 2018
- Became most expensive Ghanaian player with £45 million Arsenal transfer
- Won Community Shield with Arsenal in 2023
Did You Know?
- 01.He became the most expensive Ghanaian player in football history when Arsenal paid £45 million for his transfer in 2020
- 02.His transfer to Arsenal was completed on deadline day in October 2020 when Arsenal activated his release clause at Atlético Madrid
- 03.He was the first Ghanaian player to win consecutive Ghana Player of the Year awards since 2008-2009
- 04.Partey played in the 2016 Champions League final for Atlético Madrid against Real Madrid, which his team lost on penalties
- 05.He represented Ghana at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, helping his country return to the tournament after missing the 2018 edition