Arsenal Midfielder Thomas Partey Has Changed His Name

Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey has changed his name after converting to Islam.

Partey, 28, was raised as a Christian in Eastern Ghana and went on to play for Atletico Madrid before sealing a £45 million switch to Arsenal in October 2020.

In March of this year, Partey announced he had become a Muslim due to his Moroccan girlfriend Sara Bella and he recently telling Ghanaian journalist Nana Aba.

He also says he grew up with Muslims around him.

A picture of him in London with a Sheikh and holding the Quran, the scripture of Islam, began to do the rounds on social media.

And now it's emerged that Partey and Bella have tied the knot, while he has also changed his name as part of devoting himself to his faith.

“I’m already married and my Muslim name is Yakubu,” Partey said, as per eldesmarque.

Yakubu, the same name as a former Portsmouth, Middlesbrough, Everton and Blackburn, is a form of the name Jacob and a West African transliteration.

Jacob is the name of Partey's father.

It's unclear whether this news will result in Partey having a different name in football terms going forward.

Since arriving at Arsenal, he has played with his first name on the back of his shirt as opposed to his surname.

“I’ve seen that there are Parteys everywhere," he told Arsenal's official website upon signing for the Gunners.

"Even the photographer asked me why I don’t use Partey on my shirt. I said it’s because I started with Thomas and people are familiar with Thomas, so I need to go with Thomas."

Partey, who is currently recovering from a hamstring injury, was recently honoured in his hometown and given the title "Mahefalor".

Partey joins Netherlands legend Clarence Seedorf in converting to Islam. The former AC Milan and Real Madrid man made the announcement in March and thanked his wife for helping him make the choice.