Manchester City defender Benjamin Mendy (27) has been charged with four counts of rape and one count of sexual assault, according to Cheshire Police.
The offenses apply to three complainants over the age of 16 and are expected to take place between October 2020 and August this year.
Mendy, who lives in the Prestbury area, is currently being held by police before being arraigned in Chester Regional Court today.
The left-back has been playing for the English Premier League champions last season since joining them from Monaco for a reported fee of £ 52m.
A police spokesman said: "Cheshire police and the Crown prosecution unit would like to remind you that a criminal case against Mendy exists and he has all the rights to be heard."
Manchester City have said the defender, who also plays for the French national team, has been dropped from the squad after an investigation into his case.
"The matter is in the legal process so the club will not be able to discuss further until it is finalized," the club added.
