Thomas Partey announces he is changing his name to Yakubu

Published 09:37 8 Jun 2022 BST

Updated 10:38 8 Jun 2022 BST

Callum Boyle

Thomas Partey announces he is changing his name to Yakubu

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The Arsenal midfielder confirmed his change of name to Yakubu

Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey has announced that he will be changing his name to Yakubu after he revealed that he had converted to Islam in March. The 28-year-old confirmed the news while watching Ghana's international fixtures as he continues his recovery from injury, citing that his decision to convert to Islam was inspired by his Moroccan wife. In March, an image of the Arsenal man showed him holding the Quran while standing alongside a Sheikh in London to confirm he had now become a Muslim. https://twitter.com/TikiTakaConnor/status/1504626999385485314?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1504626999385485314%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.goal.com%2Fen-ke%2Fnews%2Fghana-midfielder-partey-on-converting-to-islam-and-his-moroccan-girlfriend%2Fblt5ce4a645d319094c

Partey explained why he chose to convert to Islam

During an interview with a local Ghanian broadcaster, Partey explained his decision behind converting to Islam and what his Muslim name will be. "I have a girl that I love but I hardly speak about it," he said in a clip shared by Nana Aba Anamoah. Anamoah then asked, "So, your girl is Muslim?" to which Partey responded, "Yes." She then said: "That's why you have converted to Islam?" with the 28-year-old replying, "I grew up with Muslims so at the end of the day it’s the same thing. https://twitter.com/thenanaaba/status/1532849217731018761?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1532849217731018761%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.goal.com%2Fen-ke%2Fnews%2Fghana-midfielder-partey-on-converting-to-islam-and-his-moroccan-girlfriend%2Fblt5ce4a645d319094c "Now my name is Yakubu," he added, as per Deportes Cuatro. So far it is unclear if Partey's Muslim name will be the name he is officially known by, or if he uses it on the back of his Arsenal shirt. He heavily featured in Mikel Arteta's side and was one of the most in-form players for the Gunners until he became injured during their 3-0 defeat to Crystal Palace back in April. Partey's absence culminated with Arsenal's end of season dip in form as they missed out on a place in the top four at the expense of their north London rivals, Tottenham Hotspur.