5 Thomas Partey

• Full Name: Thomas Teye Partey
• Date of Birth: June 13, 1993
• Place of Birth: Krobo Odumase, Ghana
• Position: Defensive Midfielder
• Current Club: Arsenal (Premier League)
• National Team: Ghana

Club Career

Atlético Madrid & Early Career

Partey started his footballing journey in Ghana with Odometah FC before moving to Atlético Madrid in 2012. He spent time on loan at Mallorca and Almería, impressing with his physicality and technical ability.

Returning to Atlético in 2015, Partey made his first-team breakthrough, helping the club reach the 2016 UEFA Champions League Final. He later became a key player under Diego Simeone, winning the 2018 UEFA Europa League and UEFA Super Cup.

In 2020, Partey’s performances earned him a move to Arsenal for £45 million, making him the most expensive Ghanaian player of all time.

Arsenal & Premier League Impact

Partey joined Arsenal with the goal of bringing defensive stability to Mikel Arteta’s midfield. After overcoming injury setbacks, he scored his first goal for the club in October 2021 against Aston Villa.

His 2022–23 season saw him net three goals in 33 appearances, including Arsenal’s Goal of the Season in a 3–1 victory over Tottenham Hotspur. Despite a lengthy injury in 2023–24, he returned in August 2024, scoring in a 2-0 win over Aston Villa.

Partey continued his fine form in 2024–25, scoring against Nottingham Forest in November and Manchester City in February. Arteta praised his consistency, calling him a “massive player” for the team.

International Career

Partey debuted for the Ghana national team in 2016 and has since represented the Black Stars in multiple Africa Cup of Nations tournaments (2017, 2019, 2021) and the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

In 2018 and 2019, he won the Ghana Player of the Year award and was named to the CAF Team of the Year in 2018. Ahead of the 2022 World Cup, he was appointed vice-captain of the national team.

Personal Life & Media Presence

Partey’s influence extends beyond football. He was featured in Amazon’s All or Nothing: Arsenal docuseries and was honored as a chief in the Manya Krobo region of Ghana for leading his nation to World Cup qualification.

In 2022, he converted to Islam due to his relationship with Moroccan partner Sara Bella, briefly adopting the name Yakubu before reverting to Thomas Partey.