
Ex-Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey set to join Villarreal two days before he is due to appear in court over rape charge
FORMER Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey is set to join Villarreal, reports claim.
The Ghana midfielder ended his five-year spell at the Emirates at the end of the 2024-25 season.
1
Thomas Partey is set to join Villarreal
Credit: Getty
Two days later leaving Arsenal, Partey was charged with five counts of rape against two women.
He is also accused of sexually assaulting a third woman.
Partey is due to appear at Westminster Magistrates Court on Tuesday, August 5.
But now Partey is set to join Villarreal, according to The Athletic.
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