Ghanaians clubs have received their financial dues following Thomas Partey’s big-money move from Atletico Madrid to Premier League side Arsenal FC.
According to reports in the country, The Premier League released the ‘solidarity contributions’ to Revelation FC and Tema Youth FC, where the midfielder honed his skills.
Revelation FC has received a notification for €750,000, while Tema Youth has also received over €500,000. The cash is in line with FIFA transfer statutes that stipulate that ‘5% should be deducted from the total transfer fee and thereafter, distributed to the clubs involved in the training and education of the player between 12 and 23 years of age’.
The Ghanaian international was signed for 50 million euros in October 2020, nine years after leaving his Accra based club to start his professional stint at Madrid based Atletico Madrid.
He helped his club lift both the UEFA Europa League and the UEFA Super Cup in 2018. Partey also featured in the UEFA Champions League final in 2016 in a game pitting both Madrid clubs Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid.
Tema Youth President Wilfred Osei opened on the player’s switch terming it amongst the best from the academy.
“One it is undeniable fact that Joseph Paintsil has given us our biggest transfer, but judging from those who have progressed to the highest level, I will say Thomas Partey has been excellent.
This was a player at a given point coming from the reserve bench of Tema Youth. Until we got the premiership where he could have started, Thomas at Division one was a reserve player so, if you want to more or less do a fair assessment of what he has been able to do in terms of progression after Tema Youth, it is Partey who has been one of the best if not the best. Osei, who is commonly known as ‘Palmer’, said in an interview upon the conclusion of Partey’s transfer in October.
And like a gift that keeps on giving, the midfielder remains not only an influential figure but a mentor to the academy back in his hometown of Accra, whenever he is back, he makes time to visit the place where he started his incredible journey.
‘When he is back in Ghana, he returns to Tema to train with the current players,” Palmer said.
“After their game, he gives a talk. He is a source of inspiration to them,” he added.
For footballers who have gone on to make a name in the big European leagues, the challenging task of juggling the new demands has seen many almost forgetting their roots. However, Thomas Partey serves as a fitting model on how such football stars can make a lasting impact on the next generation of African footballers.
