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It's Partey time! Arsenal finally get their £45m Ghanaian star
The Gunners announced that the club had landed their long-term target hours before the transfer deadline closed.
"@Thomaspartey22 has joined us from Atletico Madrid on a long-term contract. Welcome to the party," said the tweet, followed by a 15-second welcome video montage of their newest star with the hashtag #NoThomasNoPartey.
Earlier, Atletico Madrid confirmed the departure of their midfielder to the English Premier League side.
Minutes before Arsenal officially confirmed the deal, Atletico posted on their Twitter handle on Monday evening that the player has ceased to be their player after the English side paid his £45 million buyout clause on transfer deadline day.
"Arsenal representatives have paid Thomas Partey’s release clause on behalf of the player.
"LaLiga informed Atlético de Madrid at 11.28pm on Monday that Arsenal representatives have paid Thomas Partey’s release clause at the sports association’s headquarters," Atletico tweeted.
"The player has therefore unilaterally terminated his contract with our club, which ran until June 30, 2023."
The midfielder will feature for Ghana against Mali on Friday in Turkey
According to reports, Partey has undergone medicals in Madrid on Monday and is expected to sign a four-year deal with the Gunners before flying to Turkey to join his Black Stars teammates for two international friendly matches against Mali on Friday and Qatar next Monday.
Partey had long been linked with a move to the London side since last season, but the Spanish giants placed a £45 million buyout clause on him, which the Gunners triggered to seal the deal.
Arsenal head coach Mikel Arteta told the club's official website: "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.#
Mikel Arteta is an admirer of the Ghanaian star
"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."
It is understood that the midfielder will wear the No. 18 jersey.