By YASEEN ZAMAN
Published: | Updated:
Former Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey will reportedly return to LaLiga after departing the north London club as a free agent at the end of last season.
Last month, Partey, 32, was charged with five counts of rape and one count of sexual assault. He is accused of attacking three women between 2021 and 2022.
His charges, which followed a three-year investigation by Scotland Yard, arrived just five days after he left Arsenal on June 30.
Partey denies the allegations and will appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court in London on Tuesday, August 5.
Amid these legal proceedings, Partey has reportedly undergone a medical at Villarreal, and is set to join the Spanish club on a two-year deal, according to The Athletic.
After finishing fifth in La Liga last term, Villarreal will play in the Champions League in 2025-26, which is said to have been a motivating factor behind Partey’s decision to join.
Thomas Partey has reportedly undergone a medical and will join Villarreal on a two-year deal
Partey denies all of the allegations and will appear at a court in London on Tuesday, August 5
The former Arsenal midfielder was charged with five counts of rape and one count of sexual assault just five days after he departed the club
Partey spent five seasons at the Emirates, having playing in the Spanish top-flight for Atletico Madrid before joining the Gunners. He made 167 appearances under Mikel Arteta.
Partey was accused of two counts of rape related to one woman and three counts of rape related to a second woman.
The one count of sexual assault relates to a third woman. None of the alleged victims can be named.
The Crown Prosecution Service has said the charges came after it ‘carefully reviewed a comprehensive file of evidence’.
Partey ‘denies all the charges against him’ and ‘welcomes the opportunity to finally clear his name’, his lawyer said in early July.
The Metropolitan Police said the investigation into Partey began in February 2022 after officers first received a report of rape.
He was first arrested in July 2022, though he was not named at the time and continued to play for Arsenal while investigations were ongoing. He played more than 50 games for Arsenal while on bail, it has emerged.
In a statement, his lawyer Jenny Wiltshire, of Hickman and Rose, said: ‘Thomas Partey denies all the charges against him.
It has emerged that Partey played more than 50 games for Mikel Arteta’s side while on bail
With his move, Partey would be returning to LaLiga, where Arsenal signed him from when he played for Atletico Madrid
‘He has fully cooperated with the police and CPS throughout their three-year investigation. He now welcomes the opportunity to finally clear his name.
‘Given that there are now ongoing legal proceedings, my client is unable to comment further.’
Detective Superintendent Andy Furphy, whose team is leading the investigation, said: ‘Our priority remains providing support to the women who have come forward.
‘We would ask anyone who has been impacted by this case, or anyone who has information, to speak with our team. You can contact detectives about this investigation by emailing CIT@met.police.uk’
