Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey’s move to Europe wasn’t as straightforward as many might think.
According to Tema Youth owner Wilfred Osei Kwaku Palmer, Partey allegedly faked a stomach upset to skip a match against Asante Kotoko, only to secretly fly out of Ghana to join Atletico Madrid.
The Shocking Revelation
Palmer, who played a key role in Partey’s early career, shared the story in an interview with Hot FM.
He recalled that Tema Youth was preparing for a big match against Kotoko, and Partey was included in the squad. But just before the game, the midfielder claimed he had a stomach issue and couldn’t play.
However, Palmer later discovered that Partey had actually left Ghana that very night to sign with Atletico Madrid.
“On the night he was about to travel to Spain, he informed me that he had a stomach issue. We were preparing for a game against Kotoko, and he was in the squad, but because of the sickness, we had to exclude him. I later discovered that he was traveling that very night to sign with Atletico Madrid,” Palmer revealed.
Why Tema Youth Didn’t Take Legal Action
Palmer admitted that he was initially upset and even considered reporting the matter to FIFA. However, he was convinced by fellow footballer Moses Odjer not to take any action that could harm Partey’s career.
Another reason he held back was the potential financial benefits Tema Youth could receive from future transfer deals involving Partey.
Partey’s Rise to Stardom
After moving to Spain, Partey signed with Atletico Madrid in 2013. He went on loan to Mallorca and Almería before making his mark under Diego Simeone in 2015.
During his time at Atletico, he won the UEFA Europa League in 2018 and the UEFA Super Cup in 2019. Even after joining Arsenal in 2020, he had played enough games to receive a La Liga winner’s medal when Atletico lifted the title in 2021.
Despite the controversy surrounding his exit from Tema Youth, Partey’s journey to the top has been remarkable.
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