Thomas Partey
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Villarreal CF have officiallyannounced the signing of Ghanaian midfielder Thomas Partey on a one-year contract with an option to extend for a further 12 months. The 32-year-old joins the La Liga outfit as a free agent following the expiration of his contract with Premier League side Arsenal in June 2025.
Partey returns to familiar territory in Spain, having previously spent eight years in La Liga with Atlético Madrid, Almería, and Mallorca before completing a £45 million move to Arsenal in 2020. The chance to play Champions League football next season after Villarreal secured a top-five finish in La Liga is believed to have been a key factor in his decision.
During his five-year spell at Arsenal, Partey made 167 appearances and was a central figure in the club’s midfield. He featured 52 times in the 2024/25 season alone, helping the Gunners finish second in the Premier League. Despite talks over a contract renewal, no agreement was reached, allowing him to leave on a free transfer.
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Villarreal unveiled their new signing with a statement that read: “Villarreal CF and Thomas Partey have reached an agreement for the Ghanaian footballer to join the Yellows ahead of the 2025-26 season.” The club also emphasised its values, stating: “Villarreal CF firmly condemns any act of violence in all its forms, including gender-based violence, discrimination, racism, xenophobia, or any behaviour that undermines the dignity of individuals.”
Villarreal CF and @ThomasPartey22 have reached an agreement for the Ghanaian footballer to join the Yellows ahead of the 2025/26 season.
The player will join up with his new team tomorrow at the Training Ground. pic.twitter.com/z8J9jJ9wEK
— Villarreal CF English (@VillarrealCFen) August 7, 2025
However, the signing has sparked considerable backlash among sections of the fanbase due to Partey’s ongoing legal issues. The midfielder appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on August 5, where he faced five counts of rape and one count of sexual assault, allegedly occurring between 2021 and 2022. Partey denies all charges and has been granted conditional bail.
Reactions have been mixed. Some supporters, like Borja Jimenez Ortega of the L’Os Groc fan group, have praised the deal as a smart addition to strengthen the squad. But others have strongly condemned the move, citing the seriousness of the allegations.
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A petition launched by fan platform Villarreal Report has collected over 800 signatures, calling the signing “an act of pure betrayal” and branding it the “darkest day in the club’s history.”
Social media has also seen a wave of criticism, with the hashtag #NoAThomasPartey trending among Villarreal fans. Peter Llac of Villarreal Report voiced his disappointment, saying: “It goes against everything that we stood for as a club.”
Despite the controversy, Villarreal are moving ahead with Partey’s integration into Marcelino’s squad ahead of their La Liga opener against Real Oviedo on August 15. While the club has not commented directly on Partey’s legal proceedings, the high-profile nature of the case means Villarreal will be under scrutiny as they balance his on-field contributions with growing public pressure off the pitch.
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