Chelsea’s teenage midfielder Akpan signs professional deal

Chelsea’s teenage midfielder Ashanti Akpan has signed her first professional contract with the club.

The Blues announced the news via a post on their official club website this morning.

The 18-year-old has come through the Chelsea academy system. The midfielder was one of the most used players at Professional Game Academy League level last season and she has continued to be an important member of that young Blues squad. Akpan made the bench for the senior team on two occasions last season and she made her debut in a 3-1 Adobe Women’s FA Cup victory over Reading in March.

On the international stage, Akpan has been in and around the England Under-19 squad and she will be hoping to progress through the age groups in the coming years.

Akpan has an exciting future and she will now continue to develop with Chelsea after signing professional terms.

After becoming a professional player at Chelsea, Akpan said “It’s such a special and proud moment for me to sign my first professional contract at my childhood club. I’ve been here since I was seven years old, so it really has always been Chelsea for me.

“Being the place where I’ve grown up, it means so much more. I’m very grateful to my teammates, the staff and my family who have done so much on and off the pitch to make me the player I am today. I’m really excited for the future.”

Akpan will be hoping for some first team opportunities after Christmas with Chelsea still competing for four different trophies.

About The Author