Ghana's Partey signs for Villarreal while on bail for rape charges - Africa
The 32-year-old Ghana international, who denies the allegations, was granted conditional bail on August 5 after appearing in a London court on five counts of rape against two women and one count of sexual assault against a third woman.
The alleged offences took place between 2021 and 2022, when he was an Arsenal player.
Partey was charged on July 4, four days after leaving the Gunners when his contract expired at the end of June.
In announcing his arrival, Villarreal stressed that they respect the "fundamental principle of the presumption of innocence".
The club's statement continued: "The player strongly proclaims his innocence and denies all the accusations made against him.
Villarreal CF and @ThomasPartey22 have reached an agreement for the Ghanaian footballer to join the Yellows ahead of the 2025/26 season.
The player will join up with his new team tomorrow at the Training Ground. pic.twitter.com/z8J9jJ9wEK — Villarreal CF English (@VillarrealCFen) August 7, 2025
"The club... awaits the judiciary's decision, which will be responsible for clarifying the facts alleged against him."
Partey is due to appear at London's Old Bailey court on September 2.
He joined Arsenal for £45 million ($60 million) from Atletico Madrid in October 2020.
He appeared 52 times for the Gunners last season and scored four goals.
Overall Partey played 167 games for the club, scoring nine times.
He has also made 51 appearances for Ghana.
Villarreal finished fifth in La Liga last season to qualify for the Champions League.
(For more sports news and updates, follow Ahram Online Sports on Twitter at @AO_Sports and on Facebook at AhramOnlineSports.)
Follow us on:
Short link:
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
CAF
6 hours ago
- CAF
TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup 2025/26 Preliminary Round Draw Delivers Mouthwatering Clashes
Published: Saturday, 09 August 2025 The road to continental glory in the TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup 2025/26 has officially begun following the Preliminary Round draw held at Azam Media Studios in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania on Saturday. A total of 58 clubs from across Africa will compete in this year's edition, with several blockbuster fixtures already lined up in the opening rounds. Six of the continent's top-ranked clubs – Wydad AC (Morocco), USM Alger (Algeria), CR Belouizdad (Algeria), Zamalek SC (Egypt), Al Masry SC (Egypt), and Stellenbosch FC (South Africa) – have been handed byes into the Second Preliminary Round based on CAF Club Rankings. In one of the standout ties, Ghanaian giants Asante Kotoko will face fellow West Africans Kwara United of Nigeria, with the winners taking on Moroccan powerhouse Wydad AC in the next round. Senegal's Génération Foot meet Côte d'Ivoire's Amadou Diallo FC, with the winners set for a showdown against former CAF Confederation Cup champions USM Alger. Another intriguing clash sees Hafia FC of Guinea battle Algeria's CR Belouizdad, while Burkina Faso's USFA host Nigeria's Abia Warriors, with Mali's Djoliba AC awaiting in the Second Preliminary Round. Elsewhere, Tanzania's Azam FC will have to navigate past Zanzibar's KMKM SC and South Sudan's El Merriekh Bentiu for a place in the next stage, while Uganda's NEC FC take on Sudan's Al Ahli Madani, with Tunisia's Étoile Sportive du Sahel awaiting the winners. Zambia's Zesco United lock horns with Malawi's Mighty Wanderers for a potential tie against Botswana's Jwaneng Galaxy, while DR Congo's second representative will meet Angola's Kabuscrop de Palanca for a spot against South Africa's Kaizer Chiefs. The draw has also thrown up regional derbies, debut appearances for ambitious newcomers, and the prospect of titanic North African clashes in the latter stages. The journey to glory will begin with the Preliminary Round, played over two legs on the weekends of 19–21 September and 26–28 September 2025. Victors will advance to the Second Preliminary Round on 17–19 October, with the return legs a week later from 24–26 October. The successful sides will earn their place in the Group Stage, which kicks off on 21 November 2025. From there, the best of the best will battle through to the knockout stage, starting on 13 March 2026, with the dream of lifting African football's most coveted club trophies. Click HERE for the full list of fixtures. For more information about the TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup, please visit -ENDS- Further Inquiries: communications@ CAF | Communication Department
Al-Ahram Weekly
10 hours ago
- Al-Ahram Weekly
Nunez leaves Liverpool to join Saudi's Al-Hilal - World
Liverpool sold striker Darwin Nunez to Saudi side Al-Hilal, both clubs confirmed on Saturday, in a move that could allow the Premier League champions to make a fresh bid for Newcastle's Alexander Isak. Nunez joined the Reds for an initial 75 million euros ($87 million, £65 million) from Benfica three years ago but has failed to live up to that price tag. The Uruguayan scored 40 goals in 143 appearances but slipped down the pecking order at Anfield under both Jurgen Klopp and Arne Slot. According to reports in the British media, Al-Hilal will pay an initial 53 million euros for the 26-year-old. Liverpool FC can confirm Darwin Nunez has completed a permanent transfer to Al-Hilal, subject to international clearance. Everybody at the club would like to thank Darwin for his contributions and wish him and his family all the best for the future. — Liverpool FC (@LFC) August 9, 2025 "Al-Hilal Club Company is pleased to announce the signing of Uruguayan striker Darwin Nunez from Liverpool FC on a three-year contract," Al-Hilal said in a statement. Al-Hilal Signs Uruguayan Player Darwin Nunez 📃 — AlHilal Saudi Club (@Alhilal_EN) August 9, 2025 Nunez was likely to play even less this season after Liverpool signed Hugo Ekitike and Florian Wirtz as part of a 300 million euro spending spree that also includes full-backs Milos Kerkez and Jeremie Frimpong. However, the club could still break the British transfer record by signing Isak. Liverpool reportedly had a first bid of £110 million rejected, with Newcastle demanding a fee of up to £150 million for the Swedish striker. The sale of Nunez would take Liverpool's income for transfer sales this window to nearly 200 million euros after the departures of Luis Diaz, Jarell Quansah, Caoimhin Kelleher, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Tyler Morton. Nunez is the latest big name to join Al-Hilal, who shocked Manchester City to reach the quarter-finals of the recent Club World Cup. Coached by former Inter Milan boss Simone Inzaghi, the Saudi club's squad includes Portuguese internationals Ruben Neves and Joao Cancelo, Senegal captain Kalidou Koulibaly and former Fulham striker Aleksandar Mitrovic. (For more sports news and updates, follow Ahram Online Sports on Twitter at @AO_Sports and on Facebook at AhramOnlineSports.) Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:
Al-Ahram Weekly
10 hours ago
- Al-Ahram Weekly
PSG complete signing of French goalkeeper Chevalier - World
Paris Saint-Germain on Saturday signed French goalkeeper Lucas Chevalier from Lille for a reported 40 million euros ($46.6 million). "Paris Saint-Germain are delighted to welcome Lucas Chevalier into our family," club president Nasser Al-Khelaifi said on the club's website, which added that the 23-year-old had signed until 2030. "I'm a kid who is living his dream," Chevalier said. Chevalier has been a member of several France squads but has yet to win a senior cap. He shone as Lille reached the last 16 of last season's Champions League, particularly in a 1-0 win at home over Real Madrid and a 3-1 victory away to Atletico Madrid. PSG, meanwhile, won the Champions League, Ligue 1 and French Cup with Italian star Gianluigi Donnarumma in goal, backed up by Russian Matvey Safonov and Spaniard Arnau Tenas who are still in the squad. Chevalier is the second goalkeeper the club have signed this summer, after Italian-Brazilian teenager Renato Marin. Sources close to the club said PSG sporting director Luis Campos had assured Chevalier he would be first-choice goalkeeper. Chevalier is expected to be available as early as Wednesday when PSG face Tottenham in the European Super Cup in Udine, Italy. (For more sports news and updates, follow Ahram Online Sports on Twitter at @AO_Sports and on Facebook at AhramOnlineSports.) Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:
