Thomas Partey: Ghana Midfielder Opens Up on Earliest Culture Shock When He Arrived in Europe

• Arsenal's Thomas Partey has shared his early European experience
• The Black Stars midfielder missed March's international friendlies
• Partey is expected to return to action for Arsenal in EPL on Sunday

Thomas Partey has disclosed that his first time using a dressing room was when he arrived in Europe to begin his career abroad.

The Ghana and Arsenal midfielder moved to Spain at 18 to join Leganes before subsequently signing for Spanish giants Atletico Madrid.

Partey spent most of his youth career in Ghana, playing for Krobo Youth and Ashaiman Revelation FC.

However, an opportunity to travel came when his agent secured a deal for him to go on trials in Spain.

The former Atletico Madrid midfielder was successful and ended up signing for Leganes despite a firm interest from the Rojiblancos.

Sadio Mane jokes about Jurgen Klopp's next destination when German decides to return

Football

According to Partey, that was the first time he used a dressing room, claiming there was nothing like that in Africa.

“Well, the first difference is that in Africa we don’t have a dressing room!” he told Arsenal's official website. “We just use the pitches, it’s not the same as Europe. You go straight to the game; you get changed and you play the game.

"It’s not like you live every day with your teammates in the dressing room. There you just take your boots and go straight to the pitch, so moving to Europe was a big difference, but I’m somebody who gets used to every situation,' he added.

The Black Stars assistant captain enjoyed a successful stint in Spain, winning the Europa Cup and the UEFA Super Cup with Atletico Madrid, per Transfermakt.

Partey excused from Ghana's friendlies

Earlier, Sports Brief reported that Thomas Partey was excused from the friendlies against Nigeria and Uganda for him to fully recover following his battle with injuries.

Chuba Akpom: Ajax Striker Shifts Focus to Family and Form After Missing Super Eagles Call Up Again

Football

The Black Stars deputy captain stayed in London to continue his recovery as the national team travelled to Morocco to prepare ahead of June's World Cup qualifiers.

Partey is expected to be in the Arsenal line up for their top-of-the-table clash against Manchester City on Sunday.