Arsenal and Ghana midfielder Thomas Partey announced that he would be converting to Islam, and thus would change his surname.

He will now be using the surname Yakubu, for his wife Sara Bella. However, he will continue to be known by his previous name in football. Partey is currently back in Ghana, where he was born a Christian in the eastern province of the country.

“I grew up with Muslims so at the end of the day it’s the same thing. I’m already married and my Muslim name is Yakubu,” he said in a video posted by prominent Ghanaian journalist Nana Aba Anamoah. “I have a girl I love, I know my side chicks will leave me but it’s no problem,” the 28-year-old further went on to joke.

The dynamic midfielder was seen posing with a Muslim cleric earlier this year in March, which first sparked rumours of his conversion. He was also rumoured to be dating Moroccan Sara Bella for a long time.

Partey, however, will continue to use his first name Thomas on the back of his club and national team jerseys.

The midfielder has been an important cog in the wheel for Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal side since his £45 million transfer from Atletico Madrid in 2020. Though his first season was muddled with injuries, the Ghanaian came alive in his second season at the Emirates. In fact, he was the mainstay in the Gunners midfield. He averaged 51 passes per game with a staggering completion rate of 86%. He thus played an integral part in helping the Gunners finish fifth in the Premier League.

In fact, Thomas Partey suffered a hamstring injury against Crystal Palace on April 4, 2022 and has been missing in action since