Former Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey charged with five counts of rape

Thomas Partey left Arsenal this week after his contract with the Gunners expired, having spent five years at the Emirates following his move from Atletico Madrid

Recently-departed Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey has been charged with five counts of rape and one count of sexual assault, the Crown Prosecution Service have confirmed. Partey, 32, was released by Arsenal just days ago on Tuesday, July 1 following the expiry of his contract.

Partey has been charged on two counts of rape which relate to one woman, three counts of rape relating to a second woman, and one count of sexual assault relating to a third woman.

The Ghanaian will appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Tuesday August 5 2025. All the offences are alleged to have taken place during 2021 and 2022. The Met Police say an investigation by detectives commenced in February 2022 after they first received a report of rape.

Detective Superintendent Andy Furphy, whose team is leading the investigation, commented: "Our priority remains providing support to the women who have come forward.

"We would ask anyone who has been impacted by this case, or anyone who has information, to speak with our team. You can contact detectives about this investigation by emailing CIT@met.police.uk."

Partey joined Arsenal from Spanish club Atletico Madrid in September 2020 after the Gunners paid his £45million release clause. The Ghana international went on to make a total of 167 appearances, scoring nine goals and registering seven assists.

Frequent injuries meant that Partey was unable to be a wholly consistent option for Mikel Arteta, although he played 52 games last season, his highest tally in an Arsenal shirt across a single campaign. The Gunners have finished second in the Premier League for three seasons in a row and they reached the Champions League semi-finals last term.

Partey spent half a decade in north London, having been an Atletico player for eight years. After breaking into the first team, the 32-year-old had loan spells with fellow Spanish clubs Mallorca and Almeria.

Representing his country on 53 occasions, Partey has represented Ghana at four international tournaments. He's been part of three Africa Cup of Nations campaigns (2017, 2019, and 2021) and the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

Partey has won one major trophy during his career, the 2018 Europa League with Atletico. With Arsenal, he won the 2023 Community Shield.