Ghanaian international Thomas Partey has signed for La Liga side Villarreal after leaving Arsenal at the end of June when his contract expired.
The 32-year-old, who joined the Gunners from Atlético Madrid in 2020 for £45 million, faces five counts of rape involving two women and one count of sexual assault against a third woman.
Partey, who denies the charges, was granted conditional bail on Tuesday by Westminster Magistrates’ Court, barring him from contacting the alleged victims and requiring him to inform police of any change in address or international travel.
He is due to appear at the Old Bailey on 2 September.
Villarreal acknowledged the ongoing legal proceedings in England, reaffirmed its commitment to the presumption of innocence, and stressed its opposition to all forms of violence and discrimination.
The signing has sparked backlash, with nearly 1,000 supporters signing a petition protesting the move.
Partey will join his new teammates on Friday, following Villarreal’s 3-2 friendly win over Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium.
