Josh Acheampong

Joshua Kofi Acheampong^[1] (born 5 May 2006) is an English professional footballer who plays as a defender for Premier League club Chelsea. He has represented England as a youth international at multiple levels.

Josh Acheampong

Personal information
Full name	Joshua Kofi Acheampong[1]
Date of birth	(2006-05-05) 5 May 2006 (age 19)[2]
Place of birth	Waltham Forest, England[3]
Height	6 ft 3 in (1.90 m)[4]
Position(s)	Right-back, centre-back
Team information
Current team	Chelsea
Number	34
Youth career
0000–2024	Chelsea
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2024–	Chelsea	5	(0)
International career‡
2022	England U16	3	(0)
2022–2023	England U17	19	(1)
2023–2024	England U18	4	(0)
2024–	England U19	8	(0)
2024–	England U20	2	(0)
* Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 18:02, 9 March 2025 (UTC) ‡ National team caps and goals as of 10:40, 10 April 2025 (UTC)

Early life

Born in London, Acheampong is of Ghanaian descent.^[5] He first joined the Chelsea academy as an Under-8.^[2]

Club career

On 3 January 2024, Acheampong signed his first professional contract with Chelsea.^[6] On 11 March 2024, Acheampong was named in the Chelsea first team squad in the Premier League match against Newcastle United but remained an unused substitute^[7] On 2 May 2024, three days before his 18th birthday, Acheampong made his professional debut, coming on as a substitute in the 85th minute of a 2–0 Chelsea victory at Stamford Bridge over their London derby rivals Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League.^[8]

Following a period of time away from the first team due to problems regarding the extension his contract, he made his full debut against FC Astana on 12 December 2024 in the UEFA Conference League.^[9][10] On 18 December, Chelsea announced that they have reached an agreement to extend Acheampong's contract to June 2029.^[11] On 4 January 2025, Acheampong made his first Premier League start against London rivals Crystal Palace, with the match ending 1–1 wherein the Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca hailed him as the best player on the pitch.^[12]

International career

In May 2023, Acheampong was a member of the England under-17 squad that finished fifth at the 2023 UEFA European Under-17 Championship.^[13] In November 2023 he was selected to represent England at the 2023 FIFA U-17 World Cup and scored a goal in their opening game against New Caledonia.^[14][15]

On 4 September 2024, Acheampong made his England U19 debut against Italy in Nedelišće.^[16]

On 10 October, Acheampong made his U20 debut during a 2–1 win over Italy in Frosinone.^[17]

Career statistics

As of match played 24 June 2025

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition

Club	Season	League			FA Cup		EFL Cup		Europe		Other		Total
		Division	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
Chelsea	2023–24[18]	Premier League	1	0	0	0	0	0	—		—		1	0
	2024–25[19]	Premier League	4	0	0	0	1	0	7[a]	0	1[b]	0	13	0
Career total			5	0	0	0	1	0	7	0	1	0	14	0

1. Appearances in UEFA Conference League
2. Appearance in FIFA Club World Cup

Honours

Chelsea

• UEFA Conference League: 2024–25^[20]
• FIFA Club World Cup: 2025^[21]