Thomas Partey

Thomas Partey is the most expensive Ghanaian footballer of all time, and for much of the last decade the anchor of the Black Stars midfield. A powerful defensive midfielder who reads the game as well as he breaks it up, he built his reputation in Spain before a record move to the Premier League.

Early life

Thomas Teye Partey was born on 13 June 1993 in Krobo Odumase, in eastern Ghana. He worked his way through the levels of Ghanaian football at home before earning a move to Europe at eighteen, the leap that set his career in motion.

Atletico Madrid

He joined Atletico Madrid in 2013, spending early spells on loan at Mallorca and Almeria before returning to establish himself in Diego Simeone's demanding side. With Atletico he reached the 2016 Champions League final and won the Europa League and the UEFA Super Cup in 2018, developing into one of Europe's most respected midfielders.

Arsenal and beyond

In 2020 Arsenal signed him for around 45 million pounds, making him the most expensive Ghanaian player in history. He spent five seasons in London before moving on to Villarreal in 2025, returning to the Spanish league where he first made his name.

Ghana and legacy

For the Black Stars he has been a mainstay, representing Ghana at three Africa Cup of Nations tournaments and the 2022 World Cup. He was named Ghanaian Player of the Year in 2018 and 2019 and earned a place in the CAF Team of the Year. At his best, Partey is the kind of complete midfielder Ghana has rarely produced, and the standard the country's younger players now measure themselves against.