Having joined the Blues in August 2013, Akpan has been with the club since the age of seven. During that time, she has lifted silverware including the FA Youth Cup in 2021/22 and the FA WSL Academy Cup in 2022/23.

After success at Academy level, the 18-year-old was rewarded with her first-team debut for Chelsea in March last season. She came off the bench as a second half substitute in a 3-1 victory over Reading at the quarter-final stage of the Women’s FA Cup.

On the international stage, the dynamic central midfielder has represented England at youth level from Under-15s to Under-18s, while also captaining the Under-19 squad during one of their recent outings.

After committing her immediate future to Chelsea, Akpan said: ‘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.’

General Manager Paul Green commented: ‘We’re really pleased to offer Ashanti her first professional contract. She has developed very well in the Academy, she’s a very technical player and has been outstanding in that programme.

‘She has been with us since she was seven years old and has come all the way through the pathway. We look forward to seeing how she continues to develop over the upcoming years.’

Everyone at Chelsea would like to congratulate Ashanti on her first professional contract, and we wish her every success for the years to come.