Saudi Pro League club Al-Shabab have confirmed the signing of Ghana international Thomas Partey following his exit from Arsenal. The 33-year-old midfielder became a free agent after Villarreal chose not to extend his contract, and his move comes despite ongoing serious criminal proceedings against him in the UK, where he faces trial next year.

Partey made 167 appearances for Arsenal between 2020 and 2025 before joining Villarreal. He has pleaded not guilty to seven charges of rape and one count of sexual assault relating to four women, with allegations dating from 2020 to 2022, and is due to stand trial next year. He was also denied entry to Canada ahead of Ghana's World Cup opener against Panama this summer because of the case, after wrongly telling officials he had never been arrested or charged. Al-Shabab, whose squad includes Josh Brownhill and Daniel Podence, finished 13th in the league last season.