Chelsea have confirmed that 19 year old midfielder Ashanti Akpan, who is eligible to represent the Super Falcons, will join Southampton on a season-long loan for the upcoming campaign, the club announced via their official channels.
This marks her second consecutive loan move. Last season, she spent time at Birmingham City, playing fifteen matches as the Blues narrowly missed out on promotion to the top flight.
In June, Chelsea extended Akpan’s contract for another year following her stint at Birmingham. She had trained with the first-team and made an appearance as a late substitute in a 1–1 draw against Ajax in the Netherlands.
Born to a Polish mother, Akpan has dual eligibility and has been with Chelsea since she was seven, rising through the ranks to make her senior debut in a 3–1 FA Cup quarter-final victory over Reading on 19 March 2023. At just 16, she had already been on the senior match-day squad as an unused substitute in a Champions League tie against Real Madrid.
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Internationally, she has caps at multiple levels for England’s Young Lionesses—from U15 up to U23—and has won youth silverware including the FA Youth Cup (2021–22) and the FA WSL Academy Cup (2022–23).
Editorial
This loan move is a strategic opportunity for Akpan’s growth, not just additional minutes on the pitch. At Southampton, she will encounter fresh challenges that will test and refine her ability. We feel that adaptability will be key. Having already navigated back-to-back loan spells, she will need to adjust to new teammates, systems, and expectations. Each match at this level strengthens her tactical awareness and resilience.
We believe her progression reflects Chelsea’s long-term vision. By investing in her development through carefully selected loan roles, the club demonstrates a commitment to nurturing talent rather than rushing players into spotlight prematurely.
We trust that this year can serve as a breakthrough—not for immediate headlines, but for sustained development and maturity. In the years ahead, the experiences she garners at Southampton may prove decisive in defining her impact on both club and international stages.
Did You Know?
- Ashanti Akpan spent nearly two decades in Chelsea’s system before making her senior debut.
- Her senior debut came against Reading in the FA Cup—she entered the fray in a knockout match, not a league fixture.
- Akpan began featuring in England’s youth setup at the U15 level, illustrating long-term national recognition.
- The FA Youth Cup victory she helped secure in 2021–22 remains one of Chelsea’s proudest moments for their academy.
- Having eligibility for Poland opens another international pathway—she remains eligible to switch national teams before representing England at senior level.
