Thomas Partey has changed his name to Yakubu after converting to Islam following his recent marriage to Moroccan Sara Bella. However, despite the name change, the midfielder will still be referred to Partey when playing for Arsenal. In addition, the 28-year-old will keep Thomas as the name on the back of his shirt when in action.
‘I have a girl I love, I know my side chicks will leave me but it’s no problem,’ he joked in an Instagram video posted by Ghanaian journalist Nana Aba Anamoah, as quoted by Pulse. ‘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.’
Raised as a Christian in east Ghana, Partey told his national media in March that he had become a Muslim due to Bella.
In mid-March a picture of him in London with a Sheikh circulated on social media as the pair held the Quran – the scripture of Islam.
And devoting himself further to Islam, Partey has now taken on the name Yakubu after tying the knot to Bella.
Partey featured just 26 times for Arsenal in all competitions last season as injury and suspension curtailed any further part.
Meanwhile, Thomas Partey says the team gave its all to secure champions league football at the end of the 2021/2022 English Premier League season but it just wasn’t meant to be.
Mikel Arteta’s side was hopeful of returning to Champions League football for the first time in 6 years but the north London side finished fifth on the league table, just two points behind rivals Tottenham Hotspur.
Speaking with Joy Sports, the midfielder said despite missing out on their target, they still need to keep pushing until they achieve it in the season to come.
“I have lots of hope in them, they did their best and everybody fought till the end and at the end, it’s football it does happen. We qualified for the World Cup without the Africa Cup and at the end, you’ll never know what will happen. So we have to be grateful, keep working and whatever we want to achieve, we will,” he said.
“To say personal achievements, I have to be able to go further. I don’t know what can happen in the season so I go match by match, day by day and in the end whatever will happen, I’m grateful, I’m happy and I’ll keep on pushing until everything is okay.”
The Black Stars vice-captain also picked the Gunners’ game against Manchester City to be his best game of the season at the Emirates.
“For me winning is the most important. It’s important to play well and have dominance in the game but in the end, if you don’t win, you don’t feel happy personally. They were the best team at that moment and we were able to play them at that level,” he added.
Credit: dailymail.co.uk & myjoyonline.com
