Thomas Partey will join Villarreal CF on a one-year contract with the option to extend beyond the summer.
Partey’s contract is for one season, but Villarreal may extend it beyond next summer. If he satisfies head coach Marcelino Garcia, he could stay in Vila-Real.
Thomas Partey left Arsenal this summer and will join Villarreal in La Liga. The 32-year-old, accused of five rape crimes after a three-year police investigation, is preparing to move to La Ceramica.
Villarreal is still building their team after placing fifth in La Liga last season, preparing for the Champions League. The central midfield needs improvement, considering Dani Parejo’s age, and the inconsistent form of Santi Comesana and Pape Gueye.
Having played for Atletico Madrid for years, Partey is keen to return to Spain. The midfielder’s Tuesday court appearance in the rape case may break the agreement.
Partey recorded a career-best 51 appearances last season despite his injury history. Partey, 31, helped Arsenal win the Premier League and reach their first Champions League final since 2009.
Since joining Arsenal in 2020, Partey has made 130 appearances and scored nine goals.