Villarreal CF have officially unveiled Ghana midfielder Thomas Partey as their latest signing, confirming his return to La Liga on a free transfer following the expiration of his Arsenal contract in June 2025.
Partey, 32, has signed a two-year deal with the Yellow Submarine; an initial one-year contract with the option to extend for another year.
The former Atlético Madrid star passed his medical last week and joins a side preparing for UEFA Champions League football this season.
As part of the announcement, Villarreal addressed the ongoing legal proceedings involving Partey. The Spanish club stated that it condemns all forms of violence, reaffirmed its full respect for the judicial process, and noted that the Ghanaian midfielder has denied all allegations made against him. The club added that it will await the court’s final decision.
Partey returns to Spain after five seasons at Arsenal, where he made 167 appearances and scored nine goals. His final campaign (2024/25) was statistically his best in North London, registering 52 appearances, four goals, and three assists.
Despite interest from clubs in Saudi Arabia and other parts of Europe, Partey opted to return to La Liga with Villarreal, aiming to relaunch his career at the highest level.
The club views him as a key piece to bolster their midfield with leadership, experience, and physical presence ahead of a demanding season at home and in Europe.
