Arsenal have completed the signing of Ghanaian international, Thomas Partey from Atletico Madrid. The midfielder becomes the most expensive Ghanaian player in history.
The Ghana midfielder comes to London after the Gunners were able to complete a £45 million (€50m/$58m), four-year deal with the option of an additional season.
Partey is expected to provide stability to Arsenal’s midfield this season with his highly commendable tackling ability, aerial ability and ball-controlling prowess.
Below are some facts about the Ghanaian international that you probably never knew.
Thomas Partey was born on June 3, 1993, in Krobo Odumase in the Eastern Region of Ghana.
Thomas’ full name is Thomas Teye Partey
He began his youth career in Somanya and played for Odometah between 2011 and 2012 and later moved to Tema Youths Football Club.
In 2012, he joined the youth side of Atletico Madrid after being scouted but remained on the reserve side.
In 2013, he was called up to the main squad for the match against Real Sociedad. However, he remained unused in the eventual 0–1 home defeat.
On 12 July, Thomas was loaned to RCD Mallorca, freshly relegated to the second level. On 18 August, he made his professional debut, in a 0–4 away defeat against CE Sabadell FC.
Thomas scored his first professional goal on 15 September, netting his side’s second of a 2–2 draw at Hércules CF.
On 27 July 2014, Thomas joined La Liga side UD Almería also in a temporary deal. He made his debut in the competition on 23 August, starting in a 1–1 home draw against RCD Espanyol.
Thomas scored his first goals in the main category of Spanish football on 11 April 2015, netting a brace in a 3–0 home win against Granada CF.