Nigerian Fullback To Join New Club Following Release By Chelsea

Published: January 08, 2020

Allnigeriasoccer.com can confirm a report by Football Insider that Polish-born Nigerian defender Ashley Akpan has been released by Premier League side Chelsea.

The 2004-born right-back has been permitted to look for a new club as he has not been offered a scholarship deal ahead of the 2020-2021 season.

It is understood that Akpan has undergone trials with an unnamed club in England with a view to a transfer.

He is departing Stamford Bridge without making his competitive debut for Chelsea in the FA Youth Cup and U18 Premier League.

As previously reported by this website, goalkeepers Prince Adegoke and Kelechi Chibueze, and versatile defender Derrick Abu, who all have Nigerian blood flowing in their veins, will be first-year scholars at Chelsea next season if they accept the offer from the club.

Nigeria U17 invitee Adegoke has agreed to sign a professional contract with The Blues when he turns 17 in November 2020.

Born in Warsaw to a Nigerian father and Polish mom, Akpan is eligible to represent the national teams of Nigeria and Poland and it's the Europeans that have made the first move to cap him.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel