FLASH
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The news that former Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey is set to join Villarreal has upset fans of the Spanish club and hundreds of people have signed a petition calling for a halt to what has been described as the "darkest day in the club's history".
Parti appeared in a London court on Tuesday, charged with five counts of rape relating to two women and one count of sexual assault on a third woman. The alleged offences are said to have taken place in 2021 and 2022 when Parti was playing for Arsenal. Parti's lawyer has said he denies all the allegations.
Parti was released on bail on Tuesday and the chief judge said the 32-year-old will soon be transferred to Spain. Villarreal have agreed to sign the Ghanaian midfielder on a one-year contract with the option of a further 12 months.
' The news was a shock for Villarreal fans ,' said Rahul Lakhani, sports journalist and La Liga expert behind the La Liga London account.
As Arsenal prepare to host Villarreal in a friendly on Wednesday, Lakhani described Parti's potential signing as a "stain" for Villarreal, a club that is deeply connected to its city of 50,000.
" They are seen differently from Real Madrid or Barcelona. It is a club that has helped its community a lot, that is seen as a family club ," he said.
The arrival of Parti, he said, will perhaps change this image. “ Their name will now be associated with wanting to sign someone who has five rape charges against them, rather than being known as a club that plays good football or that exceeds expectations .”
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