Thomas Partey
Source: Africa Publicity
A British chief magistrate, Paul Goldspring, has confirmed that Ghanaian midfielder, Thomas Partey, who is standing trial in the UK on allegations of rape and sexual assault, has joined Spanish football club, Villarreal.
In open court on Tuesday, August 5, 2025 during Partey’s trial, magistrate Goldspring says: “I understand he [Thomas Partey] is no longer employed in this country and is playing in Spain now.”
Partey, a former Arsenal midfielder, arrived at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday morning, charged with the rape of two women.
Partey was granted conditional bail after appearing at Westminster Magistrates’ Court.
The court imposed strict conditions on his release. He’s banned from contacting any of the three alleged victims and must inform police if he changes address permanently or plans to travel abroad, according to the BBC.
The 32-year-old, who was charged four days after leaving Arsenal when his contract expired back in June this year, faces five counts of rape and one count of sexual assault.
He is accused of two counts of rape against one woman and three counts against another.
The sexual assault allegation relates to a third woman, according to the Crown Prosecution Service.
All the alleged incidents happened between 2021 and 2022 while he was still playing for Arsenal.
Partey is due to appear at the Old Bailey on September 2, 2025.
He will now join Villarreal as expected, per the magistrate’s confirmation.