OFFICIAL: Birmingham City Secure Super Falcons-eligible midfielder on loan from Chelsea

1 Òg 2024 KAYCEE BETHEL EJIM

Ashanti Akpan joins Birmingham City Women
The 18-year old is eligible to play for England, Poland and Nigeria

Through a statement on their official website, Birmingham City Women have confirmed the signing of highly-rated teenager, Ashanti Akpan, on a season-long loan from reigning Barclays Women's Super League champions, Chelsea.

The 18-year-old midfielder, who has been an integral part of the Chelsea youth setup since the tender age of seven, has already made significant strides in her young career. Her talent was formally recognized in December 2023 when she signed her first professional contract with the London giants.

Despite her youth, the England youth international has already tasted first-team action. At just 16, she was named on the Chelsea bench for a UEFA Women’s Champions League clash against Real Madrid. Her competitive debut arrived in the Women’s FA Cup against Reading the following year.

The Tri-National midfielder has represented England at youth level and was a key member of the Under-19s squad that reached the semi-finals of the recent UEFA European Championships.

Speaking about her move to Birmingham, Akpan expressed her excitement about the opportunity to further her development: “It feels great to be here. This is going to be a really good experience for me and I’m just excited that it is here where I’m starting this next part of my journey.”

Born in Warsaw to a Nigerian Father and a Polish Mother, she is eligible to represent Nigeria by virtue of her paternal ties despite being capped by England where she migrated with her family at a tender age, at all youth levels from U15 - U19 levels.

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