Chelsea loan Super Falcons-eligible midfielder to Birmingham City

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Chelsea FC have announced the loan of England U19 international midfielder Ashanti Akpan to Women’s Championship side Birmingham City for the 2024-2025 season. Akpan, who is also eligible to play for Nigeria’s Super Falcons and Poland’s national team, joins the St Andrew’s outfit in search of regular game time.

The 18-year-old midfielder has been with Chelsea since the age of seven, rising through the youth ranks to sign her first professional contract in December 2023.

Despite being invited to train with the first team on multiple occasions, Akpan has not received a call-up for a first-team game since making her senior debut in a 3-1 victory over Reading in the Women’s FA Cup quarterfinals on March 19, 2023.

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Akpan’s loan move to Birmingham City reunites her with head coach Amy Merricks, who previously worked with her at the England U19s. The midfielder was a member of the England squad that qualified for the semifinals of the 2024 UEFA European U19 Championship.

At Chelsea, Akpan won the FA Youth Cup in the 2021-2022 season and the FA WSL Academy Cup in 2022-2023. Her loan move to Birmingham City provides an opportunity for her to gain valuable game time and experience, which could potentially lead to a call-up for Nigeria’s Super Falcons or Poland’s national team.

The loan move is a positive step for Akpan’s development, and fans will be hoping to see her excel at Birmingham City and potentially return to Chelsea as a regular first-team player in the future. With her talent and experience, Akpan has the potential to make a significant impact in women’s football.