Former Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey has been charged with multiple sexual offences, including five counts of rape and one count of sexual assault. The charges, which involve three women and span alleged incidents between 2021 and 2022, were confirmed by the Metropolitan Police on Thursday.

Partey, 32, who until recently played for Premier League side Arsenal, has denied all the allegations through his lawyer and said he looks forward to clearing his name in court.

According to the police, the charges relate to three separate complainants. Two counts of rape relate to one woman, three other counts of rape involve a second woman, and the charge of sexual assault is linked to a third. The investigation was initiated in February 2022 after police received an initial report of rape. Further evidence and testimonies were gathered during what authorities described as a “thorough and sensitive” inquiry.

Detective Superintendent Andy Furphy, who is leading the investigation, emphasized the importance of supporting those who have come forward. “Our priority remains providing support to the women involved in this case,” he said. “We are also encouraging anyone else who may have information or has been affected by this investigation to come forward and speak to our team.”

Members of the public with relevant information have been asked to contact detectives at the Met’s Central Investigation Team via the email address provided: [email protected].

Thomas Partey, who lives in Hertfordshire, is scheduled to appear before Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, 5 August.

In a statement, Partey’s lawyer, Jenny Wiltshire, said: “Thomas Partey denies all the charges against him. He has fully cooperated with the police and Crown Prosecution Service throughout their three-year investigation. He now welcomes the opportunity to finally clear his name. Given that there are now ongoing legal proceedings, my client is unable to comment further.”

Partey’s high-profile move to Arsenal in October 2020 came with a £45.3 million transfer fee from Spanish side Atletico Madrid. Known for his strong presence in midfield and tactical intelligence, he quickly became a regular starter under manager Mikel Arteta.

Partey made 35 Premier League appearances last season

Last season, Partey made 35 Premier League appearances, scoring four goals as Arsenal finished second behind Manchester City. He was also instrumental in the club’s Champions League campaign, appearing in 12 matches as the Gunners advanced to the semi-finals before being eliminated by eventual champions Paris Saint-Germain.

Overall, Partey made 130 appearances in the Premier League for Arsenal, netting nine goals and providing a reliable midfield anchor during his four seasons at the club. His contract officially ended earlier this week, amid growing rumours of a transfer away from the Emirates Stadium.

Partey has also earned over 50 caps for the Ghanaian national team and was a key figure during recent World Cup qualification fixtures in March. As one of Ghana’s most high-profile players, the charges are expected to reverberate both in the UK and in his home country, where he enjoys widespread recognition and support.

As of the time of writing, neither Arsenal Football Club, the Football Association (FA), nor the Premier League have issued public statements.