Southampton FC Women have signed England youth international midfielder Ashanti Akpan on a season-long loan from Chelsea.
She signed professional terms at Chelsea in December 2023 and was on loan to Birmingham City last season, who narrowly missed out on promotion.
Progressing through the England youth teams, she was called up to the England U-23 squad in October 2024, making her debut in April this year against Spain.
Akpan told southamptonfc.com: “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.”
More from the world of women’s football
Discover the latest issue of Her Goal Magazine, analysing Alexia Putellas' headline move to London City Lionesses and including a voucher to claim your FREE Women's Football Pyramid Poster 2026/27. Also featuring LCL's Isobel Goodwin, England’s Keira Barry in California, West Ham’s Nadine Riesen, Watford’s Anna Filbey and loads more from across the women's game.
Packed with exclusive interviews, player features, posters, quizzes and in-depth stories from across women’s football..
Also available from WHSmith, Morrisons, Asda, Waitrose, TG Jones and independent newsagents.