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New Indian Express
3 days ago
- Sport
- New Indian Express
Villarreal signs midfielder Thomas Partey after he gets bail on rape charges
VILLARREAL: Spanish soccer club Villarreal signed midfielder Thomas Partey on Thursday, two days after he was granted bail on rape charges in England. Villarreal said the 32-year-old Ghana international, who became a free agent when his Arsenal contract expired in June, has joined "for the 2025-26 season." The club's announcement touted Partey's on-field attributes before turning to his legal case. "The player firmly maintains his innocence and denies all charges against him. The club respects the fundamental principle of the presumption of innocence and will await the outcome of the judicial process, which will be responsible for clarifying the facts of the case," Villarreal's statement said. "Due to the law in England in relation to ongoing proceedings the club is unable to comment further." Partey was granted bail Tuesday after appearing at Westminster Magistrates' Court in London charged with five counts of rape. He has also been charged with one count of sexual assault. The alleged offenses, between 2021-22, relate to three women.
The Sun
3 days ago
- Sport
- The Sun
Villarreal sign former Arsenal midfielder Partey
VILLARREAL have signed Ghana international Thomas Partey on a free transfer following the expiry of his contract with Arsenal, the LaLiga club said on Thursday. The 32-year-old defensive midfielder has agreed a season-long deal and will join the Villarreal squad in training on Friday. Partey was charged last month with raping two women while he was a player for the Premier League club. He is accused of five counts of rape relating to two women, plus a charge of sexual assault against a third woman, between April 2021 and June 2022. 'The club is aware that the player is currently involved in legal proceedings in England. The player vehemently defends his innocence and denies all charges against him,' Villarreal said in a statement. 'The club respects his presumption of innocence as a fundamental principle and is awaiting the verdict of the courts, which will be responsible for clarifying the facts of the case. In accordance with British law regarding ongoing proceedings, the club will not comment further on this matter.' Partey made 167 appearances for Arsenal, scoring nine goals after joining from Atletico Madrid in 2020. Villarreal, who beat Arsenal 3-2 in a pre-season friendly on Wednesday, begin their LaLiga campaign at home to promoted Real Oviedo on August 16. - Reuters
