Thomas Partey to Sign for Villarreal Two Days Before Court Date Over Serious Charges

• Ghanaian midfielder Thomas Partey is close to finalising a two-year contract with a leading La Liga side
• The 32-year-old is set for a return to Spain following a five-year stint in the English Premier League with Arsenal
• His move comes amid serious legal concerns, as he is scheduled to appear before the Westminster Magistrates’ Court on August 5

Thomas Partey is set to go back to Spanish football after reportedly finalising a move to Villarreal on a two-year deal.

The Ghanaian midfielder is bringing his chapter in England to a close.

Partey to join Villarreal on a two-year deal

After five years with Arsenal, where he became a mainstay in midfield, Partey is heading back to the league where his European journey truly took off.

This next step comes as a free transfer, following the breakdown of contract discussions with the Gunners earlier this summer.

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Though Arsenal were eager to keep him in their ranks, talks stalled, and no agreement was reached.

Why did Partey decide to join Villarreal?

Partey’s choice to join Villarreal wasn't random. The promise of Champions League football played a significant role in tipping the scales.

The Yellow Submarine are preparing for another European campaign, and the chance to compete on such a platform proved too good to ignore for Thomas.

According to Flashscore, a number of factors influenced his final decision. For one, the experienced midfielder wanted to remain active at a high level, especially in a year leading up to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The comfort of returning to a league he knows well adds both confidence and continuity as he looks to stay on the radar of Ghana’s national team selectors.

Thomas Partey's ongoing legal battle

While his move to Spain has been confirmed by multiple tabloids, there remains uncertainty surrounding his future.

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Partey is currently under investigation in the United Kingdom and has been formally charged with multiple offences.

These include five counts of non-consensual acts and one count of sexual assault, alleged to involve three women and spanning incidents said to have occurred between 2021 and 2022.

He is scheduled to appear before Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, August 5, 2025.

Partey has denied all accusations and has continued to cooperate with investigators since the matter came to light.

Despite the ongoing legal proceedings, the 2024/25 season was arguably Partey’s finest in an Arsenal shirt.

He clocked 52 appearances across all competitions, per Transfermarkt, while chipping in with four goals and three assists from midfield.

So far, Villarreal have remained silent on his legal troubles, opting not to release a statement following the transfer announcement.

"This move caught me off guard. I genuinely thought Partey would head to the Gulf. Still, I respect his decision to prioritise competitive football over a money-driven switch, especially at this stage of his career.

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"If his legal issues in the UK are resolved promptly, he could prove a valuable asset to Marcelino’s team at the Estadio de la Cerámica," Fitman Jaara of Focus FM and Daily Guide Network told YEN.com.gh.

Arsenal's preseason loss linked to Partey's absence

YEN.com.gh previously reported that Arsenal fans expressed their disappointment following the club's first preseason defeat, which came at the hands of Mohammed Kudus' Tottenham.

A section of the supporters linked the loss to Thomas Partey's absence, suggesting his presence could have made a difference against their fierce rivals.

Source: YEN.com.gh