Saudi Pro League team Al-Shabab has signed Ghana international Thomas Partey.

Partey, 33, was a free agent this summer after Villarreal chose not to extend his contract. He played 167 games for Arsenal between 2020 and 2025.

Partey is set to go on trial next year after pleading not guilty to seven charges of rape and one charge of sexual assault. These allegations involve four women and relate to incidents between 2020 and 2022.

During the World Cup this summer, Partey was not allowed to enter Canada before Ghana’s first match against Panama due to the ongoing criminal proceedings in the UK.

He wrongly told officials that he had never been arrested or charged with a crime. He played in Ghana’s other three matches in the tournament, but the team lost in the last 32 stage against Colombia.

Al-Shabab, which includes former Burnley captain Josh Brownhill and ex-Wolves winger Daniel Podence, finished 13th last season and lost their first match this season.