Black Stars of Ghana midfielder and former Arsenal player Thomas Partey was today (Friday) charged with five counts of rape and one count of sexual assault.
Partey is accused of attacking three women between 2021 and 2022.
The charges follow a three year investigation by Scotland Yard and comes just five days after his Arsenal contract expired on June 30.
The 32-year-old is currently without a club after five Premier League seasons at the Emirates.
According to Daily Mail, the former Atletico Madrid midfielder is accused of five counts of rape. Two counts of rape relate to one woman and three counts of rape relate to a second woman.
The one count of sexual assault relates to a third woman. None of the alleged victims can be named. He will appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on August 5.
Also Read: Arsenal Should Offer Partey New Contract –Muntari
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 this afternoon.
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.
“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.”
Partey’s exit from Arsenal was confirmed last month after negotiations over a new deal reprtedly came to a ‘complete standstill’ in mid-June. He last week, just after his 32nd birthday.
He joined Arsenal for £45million from Atletico Madrid on deadline day in October 2020 and went on to play 167 games, scoring nine goals.
