Ghana international Thomas Partey has joined Spanish La Liga side, Villarreal, who finished fifth last season and qualified for the UEFA Champions League.
The former Arsenal midfielder seems not to have received a warm welcome at Estadio de la Cerámica due to his legal issues back in England.
Partey, 32, faces five counts of rape against two women, and one count of sexual assault against a third woman. The alleged acts allegedly took place between 2021 and 2022, while the player was playing at Emirates Stadium.
He has been released on bail by the British courts but is due to appear before the Old Bailey Criminal Court in London on September 2.
Villarreal claimed the deal was carried out based on “the fundamental principle of the presumption of innocence.”
“The player loudly proclaims his innocence and denies all the accusations against him. The club awaits the decision of the courts, which will be responsible for shedding light on the facts with which he is accused,” Villarreal said in a statement on Thursday.
Many Villarreal fans have expressed their anger and disapproval of Partey’s arrival at the club, by posting numerous comments on social media, some even referring to campaigns against harassment and sexist violence in which the club had participated in the past.
El Villarreal CF y @Thomaspartey22 han alcanzado un acuerdo para que el futbolista ghanés se vincule al conjunto groguet de cara a la presente temporada 2025-26.
El jugador se sumará a la dinámica del equipo a partir de mañana en la Ciudad Deportiva. pic.twitter.com/q7XVRHUXvR
— Villarreal CF (@VillarrealCF) August 7, 2025