Southampton sign Chelsea midfielder Akpan on loan | OneFootball

Southampton have completed the signing of Chelsea midfielder Ashanti Akpan on a season-long loan deal.

WSL Full-Time were informed of the news via an official club press release from The Saints this evening.

The 19-year-old has spent the last 12 years with Chelsea after joining the club’s academy in 2013. She signed her first professional terms with The Blues during the 2023/2024 season. Akpan has already made her senior debut for Chelsea while she gained further experience in a loan spell with Birmingham City last season.

On the international stage, Akpan has represented England at various youth levels up to and including Under-19 level.

The player has the potential to enjoy an excellent career and she will hope to continue to progress with Southampton this season.

After joining Southampton on loan, Akpan said “I’m very excited for the season ahead. I feel like another season in the [second tier] will do me a lot of good and allow me to improve a lot as a player.

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

Akpan is Southampton’s 11th signing of the summer transfer window.