Akpan joins Southampton on Chelsea loan

Southampton Women has announced the signature of Nigerian midfielder born in Polish Ashanti Akpan in a loan of the Chelsea season.

The Saints announced the firm on Saturday in a statement on their website.

“The 19 -year -old arrives from the eight -time champions of the Super League female to reinforce the center of the field of Saints, already appeared on the second level and made her blues debut in her career so far,” said the club.

“Akpan has climbed through the Chelsea ranks since the age of seven and won the FA Youth Cup and the WSL Academy Cup during its time in youth football, before making its senior debut in March 2023.

“She signed professional terms in December 2023, but more recently she gained full senior experience with her first loan next to WSL2 Birmingham last season.

“Youth England International made 15 appearances in all competitions in a 2024/25 campaign that saw Birmingham secondly lost the promotion.

Seeking to take the next step in his career with Saints, Akpan said: “I am very excited for the season ahead. I feel like another season in the [second tier] I will do a lot of good and allow myself to improve a lot as a player.

“I am really excited to play in front of St Mary’s fans, it will be good to listen to the crowd behind us because I think the support throughout the season will be really important for us.”

Akpan was born in Warsaw of a Polish mother and a Nigerian father, and then moved to England with his family.

Internationally, Akpan is eligible to play for Poland through his place of birth, for Nigeria through his Nigerian father and for England.

It was crowned for England at all youth levels from children under 15 to children under 23.

With the U19, he participated in the UEFA 2024 U-19 Championship, where England reached the semifinals after being eliminated by the possible champions Spain.

By James Agberebi