By Chalien Dantes

Ghanaian footballer Thomas Partey has been formally charged with five counts of rape and one count of sexual assault by London’s Metropolitan Police, relating to alleged incidents between 2021 and 2022.

The 32-year-old midfielder who became a free agent this week after his Arsenal contract expired, is accused of two rape charges involving one woman, three rape charges involving a second woman and one sexual assault charge against a third woman.

London police launched their investigation on February 2022 after receiving an initial rape allegation. Partey will appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on August 5 to face the charges.

Through his lawyer Jenny Wiltshire, the former Gunners player strongly denied all allegations and looks forward to the opportunity to clear his name through the legal process.

Partey joined Arsenal in 2020 from Atlético Madrid in a US$61.42 million deal and was a key player last season, making 35 Premier League appearances and scoring four goals and featuring in 12 Champions League matches during Arsenal’s run to the semifinals.