Thomas Partey court case LIVE updates as former Arsenal man appears in court charged with rape

Thomas Partey is due to appear in court for the first time since being charged with rape and sexual assault.

The former Arsenal midfielder was last month charged with five counts of rape and one count of sexual assault. The alleged offences occurred between 2021 and 2022, the Metropolitan Police said.

The 32-year-old, who left the Gunners on June 30 after his contract expired, has been charged with two counts of rape of one woman, three counts of rape to a second woman and one count of sexual assault of a third woman. He is due to appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court this morning (Tuesday, August 5), with the hearing expected to start anytime from 10am. The hearing will take place in courtroom five.

Partey's lawyer Jenny Wiltshire has previously said her client denies all charges against him. "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," the lawyer said in a statement last month.

It emerged over the weekend that Partey is close to joining La Liga side Villarreal, with the Ghana international expected to sign a two-year deal having already undergone a medical. Villarreal face Arsenal in a pre-season friendly at the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday.

football.london will be providing you live updates from Westminster Magistrates' Court as Partey appears in court for the first time since being charged. Scroll down for the latest updates.