Thomas Partey has entered not guilty pleas at Southwark Crown Court in response to two fresh rape allegations dating back to December 2020.
The 32-year-old Ghana international, currently playing for Spanish side Villarreal, appeared before the court to deny the additional charges brought against him in February.
According to the prosecution, the midfielder is accused of raping a woman twice in London during a single day in December 2020.
These latest allegations represent a fourth complainant in the case against the former Arsenal player, who moved to the north London club from Atletico Madrid in a deal worth approximately £45million.
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The former Arsenal midfielder already faces five counts of rape involving two women, alongside a charge of sexual assault against a third complainant, following an investigation by the Metropolitan Police.
Partey has denied all of these earlier allegations, which relate to incidents between 2021 and 2022, and is scheduled to stand trial at Southwark Crown Court in November.
Thomas Partey pictured at Southwark Crown Court today
|GETTY
His defence lawyer, Jenny Wiltshire, addressed the new charges, stating: "Thomas Partey continues to deny all charges against him. He has cooperated with the police throughout.
"Given there are ongoing legal proceedings, there will be no further comment."
Thomas Partey currently plays for Villarreal in Spain
| GETTYThe two additional rape allegations emerged after the initial set of charges against Partey became public knowledge earlier this year.
Prosecutor Arabella MacDonald informed the court in February: "Mr Partey faces two further charges of rape dating back to December 2020.
"The complainant came forward after news of Mr Partey's other matters were widely publicised."
Judge Ikram subsequently referred these new charges, involving what prosecutors describe as a fourth alleged victim, to Southwark Crown Court for the hearing at which Partey entered his not guilty pleas.
Thomas Partey left Arsenal on a free transfer last summer
| GETTYPartey spent five seasons at Arsenal following his 2020 transfer, making 167 appearances for the club before departing when his contract expired in June last year.
The midfielder has since established himself as a regular starter at Villarreal, one of La Liga's prominent clubs, and remains part of the Ghana national squad.
His bail conditions permit him to continue his football career, though he must provide police with 24 hours' notice before any international travel and is prohibited from contacting any of the complainants.
He most recently featured for Villarreal on 20 March in their La Liga fixture against Real Sociedad.