Ashanti Akpan is a talented 20-year-old midfielder currently with Newcastle United Women in the Women’s Super League 2. Born to a Polish mother and Nigerian father in Warsaw, Poland, she relocated to England early in life and progressed through elite youth ranks while representing England internationally up to the under-23 level.
Profile Summary
| Full name | Ashanti Akpan |
| Date of birth | 24 November 2005 |
| Place of birth | Warsaw, Poland |
| Nationality | England |
| Partner | Not publicly known |
| Children | None |
| Occupations | Professional footballer |
| Height | 1.67 m (5 ft 6 in) |
| Position | Midfielder |
| Jersey number | 4 |
| Club | Newcastle United |
| Net Worth | ~$5 million (est.) |
Early Life and Education
Ashanti Akpan entered the world on November 24, 2005, in Warsaw, Poland. Her family soon moved to England, where she began her football journey by joining the Chelsea Academy at just seven years old in 2013. While formal schooling details remain private, her foundational years revolved heavily around intensive youth football development.
Career
Akpan’s professional path started in Chelsea’s academy, where she shone brightly, securing the FA Youth Cup in 2021–22 and the FA WSL Academy Cup in 2022–23. She earned her senior debut for Chelsea at 17, substituting in during a 3–1 Women’s FA Cup quarter-final victory over Reading on March 19, 2023, and soon after inked her first pro contract through summer 2025, with an extension option.
Gaining crucial experience, she went on loan to Birmingham City Women for the 2024–25 Women’s Championship season, appearing in 13 league matches and 2 cups without scoring. In summer 2025, another loan took her to Southampton Women in WSL 2, where she featured in 13 games during the campaign’s first half. On January 22, 2026, Chelsea confirmed her permanent transfer to Newcastle United Women for an undisclosed fee, ending a 12-year association with the Blues since age seven.
Internationally, Akpan has donned England’s colors from under-15 to under-23 levels, captaining the under-19s en route to the 2024 UEFA Women’s Under-19 Championship semi-finals before a loss to Spain. Her under-23 debut came on April 3, 2025, as a substitute in a 2–1 defeat to Spain. Career stats as of mid-2025 show 16 total appearances (1 for Chelsea senior, 15 on loan) with no goals.
Newcastle’s manager Tanya Oxtoby praised her ability to disrupt play, build attacks across thirds, and positive team culture fit. Akpan herself expressed excitement about aiding promotion to the WSL, drawing on her Championship and international exposure.
Personal Life
With roots spanning Poland, Nigeria, and England, Akpan holds triple international eligibility. She keeps family matters low-key beyond noting her sibling connection to fellow pro footballer Ashley Akpan, and no public details exist on partners or children.
Net Worth and Salary
Estimates peg her net worth near $5 million from early pro deals and loans, though figures for young WSL talents like her often lack verification. Specific salary info stays private, aligning with norms for emerging women’s football stars.
Honours
Her trophy cabinet highlights youth triumphs: FA Youth Cup (2021–22) and FA WSL Academy Cup (2022–23) with Chelsea. She also tied into Chelsea’s WSL dominance (2022/23, 2023/24) through academy ties and hit UEFA Women’s Under-19 Championship semis with England in 2024.
