Ghana midfielder Thomas Partey has joined Arsenal from Atletico Madrid on a long-term contract, the Premier League side announced.
Arsenal had to meet his £45m release clause in order to secure the move on transfer deadline day Monday.
Manager Mikel Arteta said: “We have been watching Thomas for a while, so we’re now delighted to add such a high-quality player to our squad.
“He is a dynamic midfielder with great energy. He brings a lot of experience from a top club that has competed at the highest level in La Liga and the Champions League for several years.
“We’re very impressed with his attitude and his approach to the game. He’s an intelligent footballer and we’re looking forward to him integrating into our system and contributing to the progress we’re building at the moment at the club.”
🔴🤝🇬🇭#NoThomasNoPartey https://t.co/lJUUH2gUyz
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) October 5, 2020
Partey, 27, had been with Atletico since 2012, making 188 appearances, in which time he won both the Europa League and Super Cup in 2018, and was a Champions League runner-up in 2016.
At the early stage of his Atletico Madrid career, Partey also enjoyed successful loan spells with RCD Mallorca (2013/14) and UD Almeria (2014/15).
Last season, the 26-times capped Ghana national team deputy captain made 46 appearances for Atletico, playing a key role in their third-place finish in La Liga and reaching the quarterfinals of the Champions League.
Partey becomes Arsenal’s seventh signing of the summer, with the club having already signed Willian, Gabriel, Cedric Soares, Pablo Mari, Dani Ceballos (on loan) and goalkeeper Alex Runarsson.
The new Arsenal No. 18 will join up with his new teammates next week after he returns from international duty with Ghana. The Black Stars are scheduled to play Mali and Qatar in Turkey on October 9 and 12 respectively.
