Controversial! Villareal Sign Thomas Partey, Soon After Bail On Rape Charges
Former Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey has signed with Villarreal CF. He faces serious criminal charges in the UK, including rape and sexual assault, which he denies.
Former Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey has officially signed with Villarreal CF, the Spanish club confirmed on Thursday.
The announcement comes just weeks after Partey was charged in the UK with multiple serious criminal offences.
The 32-year-old Ghanaian international, who left Arsenal at the end of June following the expiration of his contract, is currently facing five counts of rape involving two women, and one count of sexual assault involving a third woman. The alleged incidents reportedly occurred between 2021 and 2022, during Partey's tenure as an Arsenal player.
Partey appeared in a London court on August 5 and was granted conditional bail. He has denied all allegations. His next court appearance is scheduled for September 2 at the Old Bailey, one of the UK's most prominent criminal courts.
He was officially charged on July 4, four days after departing the Premier League club.
'The club respects the fundamental principle of the presumption of innocence."
'The player strongly proclaims his innocence and denies all the accusations made against him. The club awaits the judiciary's decision, which will be responsible for clarifying the facts alleged against him."
While financial terms were not disclosed, Partey joins Villarreal as they prepare for a return to Champions League football, having finished fifth in La Liga last season.
Career Overview
Partey joined Arsenal from Atlético Madrid in October 2020 for a reported £45 million ($60 million). A regular starter under Mikel Arteta, he made 52 appearances for the club last season, scoring four goals. Across all competitions, he featured 167 times for the Gunners, netting nine goals.
Internationally, Partey has earned 51 caps for Ghana, representing the Black Stars at major tournaments including the Africa Cup of Nations and FIFA World Cup.
(with AFP inputs)
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