OFFICIAL: Arsenal Have Signed Atletico Madrid Star Thomas Partey On A Long-Term Contract.

Arsenal have completed the signing of midfielder Thomas Partey from Spanish club side Atletico Madrid.

The North London club activated the £45million release clause of the midfielder late on Monday to beat the transfer Deadline Day despite Atletico Madrid playing the hard ball all summer long.

The Ghanian international completed his medical and paperwork in Spain, and signed a long-term contract with the Gunners, in a deal which will see Lucas Torreira moves to join Atleti on loan until end of the season.

He becomes the most expensive Ghanian footballer of all-time, and will wear the No 18 shirt which was previously worn by defender Nacho Monreal.

Partey who played for the Atletico Madrid youth team in 2013, enjoyed successful loan spells in Spain with RCD Mallorca (2013/14) and UD Almeria (2014/15).

He has been a key player in Diego Simeone's midfield since breaking into the first team since returning to Atletico in 2015, making 188 appearances and scoring 16 goals.

He was also part of the team that won the UEFA Europa League and UEFA Super Cup in 2018, reached the final of the Champions League in 2016 where they lost to Real Madrid.

Last season, Thomas Partey made 46 appearances for Atletico, playing a key role in their third-placed finish in La Liga and reaching the quarter-finals of the Champions League.

Welcome to the Partey! 🥳

👋 @Thomaspartey22#NoThomasNoPartey pic.twitter.com/009Er2kZBK

— Arsenal (@Arsenal) October 5, 2020

 Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta expressed his delight through the club's website of having to add steel to his midfield for the long-season ahead; 

“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.”

He will will join up with his new team-mates next week after he returns from international duty with Ghana.

Internationally, Partey has made 29 international appearances, scoring10 goals for his country since his debut in May 2016.

He will will join up with his new team-mates next week after he returns from international duty.