Chelsea midfielder Ashanti Akpan has expressed her joy after signing a new contract with the Blues.
It is the 18-year-old’s first pro deal and, speaking to the club’s website, she said she couldn’t be more delighted after putting pen to paper:
“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 has agreed an initial 18-month contract
The teenager has signed on the dotted line keeping her with the London club until the end of the 2024/25 season (with an option to extend for a further year). During that time, she will be hoping to make a big impression and establish herself as a regular in Chelsea‘s first-team squad.
With the standards at the reigning WSL champions being so high, it is a tremendous credit to Akpan that she has earned herself a professional contract.
The midfielder has already made her senior debut
Akpan initially stood out playing for the academy side, winning the FA Youth Cup in 2022 and the FA WSL Academy Cup a year later. She has also impressed at international level, playing for England from the Under-15 to Under-19 age groups.
Manager Emma Hayes gave Akpan her first appearance at senior level last season. The midfielder came on in the second half of the 3-1 win against Reading in the Women’s FA Cup quarter-final.
