Villarreal have officially announced the signing of Ghanaian international Thomas Partey, confirming the 32-year-old midfielder’s arrival on a free transfer following his departure from Arsenal.
Partey, who left the Premier League side after his contract expired at the end of June, has agreed to a two-year deal with Villarreal.
The agreement includes an initial one-year contract with the option to extend for an additional 12 months.
The Spanish club confirmed the transfer on Thursday, with Champions League qualification reportedly playing a key role in Partey’s decision to join.
The midfielder’s arrival, however, comes amid ongoing legal proceedings in the United Kingdom.
Partey appeared before Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, facing five counts of rape and one count of sexual assault.
He denies all charges and has been granted conditional bail, requiring him to notify authorities of any international travel at least 24 hours in advance.
In a statement, Villarreal addressed the matter, noting: “The club is aware that the player is currently involved in legal proceedings in England. The player vehemently defends his innocence and denies all charges against him… The club respects the fundamental principle of presumption of innocence.”
The club also reiterated its commitment to human dignity, adding that it “condemns any act of violence in all its forms, whether gender-based, discriminatory, racist, xenophobic or any other behaviour.”
Before joining Villarreal, Partey spent five seasons at Arsenal after moving from Atlético Madrid in 2020 for €50 million. He made 167 appearances for the Gunners, featuring primarily in central midfield but also covering at right-back. He previously played 188 matches for Atlético in La Liga.
