Former Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey has been charged with two additional counts of rape involving a new alleged victim, bringing the total number of complainants in the case to four.
The 32-year-old had previously pleaded not guilty at Southwark Crown Court in September to five counts of rape against two women and one count of sexual assault relating to a third woman.
The new charges concern alleged offences said to have taken place in 2020 and were first reported to police last August. They follow a fresh investigation by the Metropolitan Police. Partey is due to appear at Westminster Magistrates & Court on 13 March for his first hearing in relation to the two new counts.
The earlier charges relate to alleged incidents between 2021 and 2022, during his time at Arsenal. He was formally charged four days after his contract with the north London club expired at the end of June. The investigation began in February 2022 after police received an initial report of rape. A trial under a
High Court judge is scheduled to commence on 2 November this year.
Since leaving the Premier League, Partey has joined Spanish side Villarreal CF on a one-year deal. The transfer was confirmed after he had been charged. His solicitor, Jenny Wiltshire, has previously stated that he denies all allegations and welcomes the opportunity to clear his name.