Thomas Partey: Ghana Star Officially Joins Villarreal on Two-Year Deal
- Ghana midfielder Thomas Partey has officially joined Spanish side Villarreal CF after his contract with Arsenal expired this summer
- The 32-year-old recently secured conditional bail following his court appearance related to ongoing legal proceedings in the UK
- Villarreal has since broken its silence, releasing a firm statement addressing the situation surrounding their new signing
Spanish club Villarreal have confirmed the signing of Ghanaian midfielder Thomas Partey on a two-year contract.
The 32-year-old joins as a free agent after parting ways with Arsenal at the end of June, concluding a five-year stint with the Premier League side.
Although there were discussions about a contract extension, no agreement was reached, paving the way for his return to La Liga.
Source: Getty Images
Partey Faces Legal Battle After Arsenal Exit
Shortly after his departure from Arsenal, Partey was charged with six counts of non-consensual assault, related to incidents currently under investigation since 2022.
He has denied all allegations.
The midfielder appeared before Westminster Magistrates Court on Tuesday, where he was granted conditional bail.
As part of the terms, he is restricted from contacting the three complainants and must inform authorities about any permanent address changes or overseas travel.
A court official confirmed during the bail hearing that Partey is no longer employed in the UK and has resumed his professional career in Spain.
He is expected to appear at the Old Bailey on September 2.
Villarreal Respond to Thomas Partey's Legal Situation
Villarreal acknowledged the legal case involving Partey in their official statement announcing his signing.
The club stated that they are aware of the ongoing proceedings and will continue to monitor the situation closely.
A statement read:
"Villarreal CF and Thomas Partey have reached an agreement for the Ghanaian footballer to join the Yellows ahead of the 2025/26 season. The player will join up with his new team tomorrow at the Training Ground.
"Thomas Teye Partey is a complete midfielder with great stamina and exceptional physical attributes. He is an excellent ball-winner and has the ability to start moves from deep. The African footballer also boasts a good shot from mid-range and has the ability to break lines when driving forward.
"The experienced Ghanaian midfielder has earned more than 50 caps for his national team. He has also represented Arsenal FC, Atlético de Madrid, UD Almería and RCD Mallorca. With the English side, he won the FA Community Shield (2023/24), while with the Madrid outfit he lifted the LaLiga title (2020/21), the UEFA Super Cup (2018/19) and the UEFA Europa League (17/18).
"On the other hand, 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 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. Due to the law in England in relation to ongoing proceedings, the club is unable to comment further.
"Villarreal CF wishes to clearly reiterate its strong commitment to respect and diversity and firmly condemns any act of violence in all its forms, including gender-based violence, discrimination, racism, xenophobia, or any behaviour that undermines the dignity of individuals."
Source: Getty Images
Why joining Villarreal is the best option for Partey
Speaking to YEN.com.gh, Ghanaian journalist Thierry Nyann expressed his delight over Thomas Partey’s move to Villarreal.
“I’m genuinely happy for him,” Nyann said. “This transfer will take him out of the constant spotlight surrounding his legal case, and it will give him the peace of mind he needs to focus fully on his football career.”
Thomas Partey's journey at Arsenal
Before moving to Arsenal in 2020, Thomas Partey built his career in Spain.
While at the North London club, he made 167 appearances and scored nine goals under Mikel Arteta.
Since his departure, Arsenal have strengthened their midfield, including the signing of experienced Danish international Christian Norgaard from Brentford.
Villarreal fans express disapproval of Partey's deal
Earlier, YEN.com.gh reported that a section of Villarreal fans have expressed strong disapproval of the club’s interest in Thomas Partey.
A Madrid-based supporters’ group warned that pushing ahead with the deal could spark significant backlash.
Source: YEN.com.gh
