Thomas Partey has been charged with five counts of rape and one count of sexual assault, the Crown Prosecution Service have confirmed. Partey, 32, was released by Arsenal earlier this week upon the expiration of his contract at the club.
Partey became a free agent on Tuesday, July 1., and the charges were filed on Friday July 4. Partey has been charged on two counts of rape which relate to one woman, three counts of rape relating to a second woman, and one count of sexual assault relating to a third woman.
The midfielder was in negotiations over a new contract with the club, but Arsenal opted to let him leave on a free rather than extend his stay in north London.
The midfielder is set to appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Tuesday August 5 2025 for the charges to be read. The offences are alleged to have taken place during 2021 and 2022.
The Met Police says an investigation by detectives commenced in February 2022 after they first received a report of rape.
Detective Superintendent Andy Furphy, whose team is leading the investigation, commented: "Our priority remains providing support to the women who have come forward.
PARIS, FRANCE - MAY 7: Mikel Arteta manager / head coach of Arsenal consoled Thomas Partey of Arsenal after being knocked out during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 Semi Final Second Leg match between Paris Saint-Germain and Arsenal FC at Parc des Princes on May 7, 2025 in Paris, France. (Photo by Catherine Ivill - AMA/Getty Images)
Thomas Partey has left Arsenal after the conclusion of his contract (Image: Getty Images)
"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."
Partey joined Arsenal from Spanish club Atletico Madrid in September 2020 after the Gunners paid his $61.4 million release clause. The Ghana international went on to make a total of 167 appearances, scoring nine goals and registering seven assists.
Frequent injuries meant that Partey was unable to be a wholly consistent option for Mikel Arteta, although he played 52 games last season, his highest tally in an Arsenal shirt across a single campaign.
The Gunners have finished second in the Premier League for three seasons in a row and they reached the Champions League semi-finals last term.
Partey spent half a decade in north London, having been an Atletico player for eight years. After breaking into the first team, the 32-year-old had loan spells with fellow Spanish clubs Mallorca and Almeria.
Thomas Partey will appear in court on August 5
Thomas Partey will appear in court on August 5 (Image: Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
Representing his country on 53 occasions, Partey has represented Ghana at four international tournaments.
He's been part of three Africa Cup of Nations campaigns (2017, 2019, and 2021) and the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
Partey has won one major trophy during his career, the 2018 Europa League with Atletico. With Arsenal, he won the 2023 Community Shield.