Former Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey has been charged with five counts of rape and one count of sexual assault by the Metropolitan Police Service.
The midfielder left Arsenal at the end of last month on a free transfer after joining from Atletico Madrid in the summer of 2020.
A statement on Metropolitan Police’s website read: ‘The Crown Prosecution Service has authorised the Metropolitan Police Service to charge a man after a file of evidence was submitted by detectives.
‘The Met has issued a charge and requisition to Thomas Partey, 32 (13/06/1992), of Hertfordshire, in connection with the following offences:
Five counts of rape.
One count of sexual assault.
‘The charges are broken down as follows:
Two counts of rape relate to one woman.
Three counts of rape relate to a second woman.
One count of sexual assault relates to a third woman.
The 32-year-old allegedly carried out the offences between 2021 and 2022, the Met Police said.
Partey signed for Arsenal from Atletico Madrid in 2020 for a fee of £45million. He went on to make 167 appearances for the club before leaving following the expiration of his contract on June 30.
Partey, of Hertfordshire, is due to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on August 5. Detective Superintendent Andy Furphy, whose team is leading the investigation, said: “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's lawyer has insisted the former Arsenal midfielder “denies all the charges against him".
In a statement, Partey's lawyer Jenny Wiltshire said her client "fully co-operated with the police and CPS" during the three-year investigation. "Thomas Partey denies all the charges against him," she said. "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."
