Ex-Arsenal star Thomas Partey, who has been charged with five counts of rape and one count of sexual assault, has signed for Villarreal despite the club's fans decrying it as their "darkest hour"
14:15, 07 Aug 2025Updated 14:18, 07 Aug 2025
Thomas Partey
Thomas Partey is set to move to Villarreal(Image: AFP via Getty Images)
Thomas Partey has signed for Villarreal after the expiration of his Arsenal contract - leading to outrage among fans of the Spanish club.
Partey has reportedly put pen-to-paper on a deal that could see him stay at the La Liga side for two years. Partey's Arsenal contract expired in June, with the Gunners allowing him to leave after negotiations over a new deal fell through. The midfielder has since been charged with five counts of rape and one count of sexual assault.
The charges, which follow a police investigation first launched in February 2022, involve two counts of rape relating to one woman, three counts of rape relating to a second woman, and one count of sexual assault relating to a third woman, relating to incidents alleged to have taken place between 2021 and 2022. Partey's lawyer has said he "denies all the charges against him" and "welcomes the opportunity to finally clear his name".
But Villarreal fans have slammed the arrival of the 32-year-old as the “darkest day in the club’s history”. While a hashtag that translates to “No to Thomas Partey” has been trending on social media.
More than 800 fans have signed an online petition that slams the move as a “slap in the face” to the club’s supporters and “all victims of sexual abuse worldwide”.
Former Arsenal footballer Thomas Partey leaves London's Westminster Magistrates' Court in London, United Kingdom on August 5, 2025. Partey is accused of five counts of rape and one count of sexual assault against three women. Offences alleged to have taken place between 2021 and 2022.
Thomas Partey appeared before London's Westminster Magistrates' Court on Tuesday(Image: Anadolu via Getty Images)
The petition, which was launched by Villarreal Report, said the signing would be “an act of pure betrayal of the highest order” against the club’s supporters and Villarreal’s values. It continued: "The darkest day in the club’s history is drawing closer by the second."
Partey appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday (August 5) and was granted conditional bail where he must inform police of any international travel 24 hours in advance.
He spoke only to confirm his name, address and date of birth before the six charges he faces were read out in Court No3.
Jocelyn Ledward KC, prosecuting, told the court Partey, who stood in the dock with his arms behind his back wearing a black zip-neck jumper, was accused of committing the offences between April 2021 and June 2022.
The Ghana international was granted bail on conditions that will allow him to continue his playing career in Spain.
Don't miss a thing with football updates!
Want to be on the ball with all of the latest football news? Well then sign up for the brilliant Daily Star Football email newsletter!
From the latest transfer news to breaking stories, get it all in your email inbox.
How do you sign up?
It only takes a matter of seconds.
Simply click on this link, then provide your email address and that's it, job done. You'll receive an email with all of the top football stories.
You can also sign up for our sport email, Off the Ball, for all the latest darts, boxing, snooker, F1 stories and more, right here
Chief magistrate Paul Goldspring ordered Partey to appear at the Old Bailey on September 2. He said: "I understand he’s no longer employed in this country and playing in Spain now."
He told Partey he must notify two Scotland Yard officers "of any permanent change of residence three days in advance" and clear "any international travel 24 hours before".
Article continues below
The footballer was also ordered not to contact any of the three women.
Partey signed for Arsenal in a €50million (£45.4m) deal from Atletico Madrid in 2020.
During his five-year stay in North London, the Ghanaian international made 167 appearances, inclduing 52 times for Mikel Arteta’s side last season.