Ghanaian midfielder Thomas Partey has signed a one-year contract with Villarreal, the Spanish club officially announced. The 32-year-old joins the Yellow Submarine as a free agent after his contract with Arsenal expired.
Partey, who joined Arsenal from Atlético Madrid in 2020, made 130 Premier League appearances for the Gunners, contributing to 14 goals. Last season, he was a key player for Mikel Arteta’s side, featuring in 52 matches across all competitions and helping them secure a second-place finish in the league. He is expected to join his new teammates at the training ground tomorrow.
In its official statement, Villarreal acknowledged the legal issues Partey is currently facing in the UK, where he has been charged with five counts of rape and one count of sexual assault.
“The club is also aware that the player is currently involved in legal proceedings in England. The player firmly maintains his innocence and denies all charges against him,” the statement read. “The club respects the fundamental principle of the presumption of innocence and will await the outcome of the judicial process, which will be responsible for clarifying the facts of the case.”
The club also reiterated its commitment to “respect and diversity” and “firmly condemns any act of violence in all its forms.”