Former Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey has been charged with five counts of rape and one count of sexual assault, the Crown Prosecution Service said on Friday. Prosecutors allege the offences were committed between 2021 and 2022 and involve three women. According to the Metropolitan Police, two rape counts relate to one woman and three to a second, while the sexual-assault charge concerns a third. The investigation began in February 2022 after the first complaint was filed. Detective Superintendent Andy Furphy, who is leading the case, said officers are focused on supporting the complainants. Partey, a 32-year-old Ghana international, is scheduled to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on 5 August. His lawyer, Jenny Wiltshire, said the player denies the allegations and "welcomes the opportunity to finally clear his name." Partey joined Arsenal from Atlético Madrid in October 2020 after the Premier League club activated his £45.3 million ($61.8 million) release clause. He made more than 130 appearances for the Gunners before his contract expired on 30 June, leaving him a free agent earlier this week.