Thomas Partey, Former Arsenal Soccer Player, Charged with 5 Counts of Rape

Thomas Partey, a former midfielder for the Arsenal Football Club, has been charged with five counts of rape and one count of sexual assault following a police investigation.

The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) announced on Friday, July 4, that the Metropolitan Police of London charged Partey, 32, after three women reported incidents that took place between 2021 and 2022.

The soccer star, who played for Arsenal from 2020 until 2025, is now due in Westminster Magistrates Court on Aug. 5.

Partey’s lawyer, Jenny Wiltshire, said in a statement to the BBC that he denies the charges and “welcomes the opportunity to finally clear his name.” Wiltshire did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for additional comment on Saturday, July 5.

Partey’s charges include two counts of rape against one person, three against a second person and one count of sexual assault against a third person, per CPS.

Jaswant Narwal, the chief crown prosecutor for CPS London North, said in a statement that the agency “carefully” reviewed a “comprehensive file of evidence.”

“Our prosecutors have worked closely with officers in the Metropolitan Police who have carried out the investigation, to review the evidence and advise on the appropriate charges,” she said. “We remind everyone that criminal proceedings are active, and the defendant has the right to a fair trial.”

“We know there will be significant public interest in this announcement, but it is absolutely vital that there is no reporting, commentary or sharing of information online which could in any way prejudice these proceedings.”

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In a statement to ESPN and the BBC, an Arsenal spokesperson confirmed that Partey’s contract with the club ended on Monday, June 30, and added that, “Due to ongoing legal proceedings the club is unable to comment on the case.”

A media contact for Arsenal did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for further information on Saturday.

Partey joined the club in 2020 after being transferred for £45 million — or $61.4 million — from Spanish club Atlético Madrid, and he scored four goals throughout 35 Premier League appearances last season, according to ESPN. His now-former club finished second in the league.

In June, the midfielder posted on Instagram about earning the Ghana Player of the Year award for the third time, with his foundation winning the Football for Good award. “I would also like to thank the organizers for this recognition, to my family and friends for the support, and to everyone who’s been part of this journey,” he wrote at the time. “I couldn’t have done it without you all.”

Andy Furphy, Metropolitan Police’s detective superintendent who is leading the investigation into Partey’s charges, encouraged those “impacted by this case, or anyone who has information” to get in contact with detectives at [email protected], per the BBC.

If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, please contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673) or go to rainn.org.

If you or someone you know has been a victim of sexual abuse, text “STRENGTH” to the Crisis Text Line at 741-741 to be connected to a certified crisis counselor.