Josh Acheampong
FullnameJoshua Kofi Acheampong[1]
Birth date5 May 2006 (age 20)[2]
Birth placeWaltham Forest, England[3]
Height6.2 ft (1.90 metres)[4]
CurrentclubChelsea
Clubnumber34
PositionDefender
Youthyears 12014–2024
Youthclubs 1Chelsea
Years 12024–
Clubs 1Chelsea
Caps 122
Goals 11
Nationalyears 12022
Nationalteam 1England U16
Nationalcaps 13
Nationalgoals 10
Nationalyears 22022–2023
Nationalteam 2England U17
Nationalcaps 219
Nationalgoals 21
Nationalyears 32023–2024
Nationalteam 3England U18
Nationalcaps 34
Nationalgoals 30
Nationalyears 42024–2025
Nationalteam 4England U19
Nationalcaps 48
Nationalgoals 40
Nationalyears 52024–
Nationalteam 5England U20
Nationalcaps 52
Nationalgoals 50
Nationalyears 62025–
Nationalteam 6England U21
Nationalcaps 66
Nationalgoals 60
Club-update22:00, 24 May 2026 (UTC)
Ntupdate23:50, 31 March 2026 (UTC)

Joshua Kofi Acheampong[1] (born 5 May 2006) is an English professional footballer who plays as a defender, whether at right-back, centre-back or left-back, for club Chelsea. He has represented England as a youth international at multiple levels.

Early life

Born in London, Acheampong is of Ghanaian descent. Acheampong's middle name “Kofi” refers to a male child born on Friday in Ghana.[5] He first joined the Chelsea academy as an Under-8. Acheampong is eligible to play for England by birth, and Ghana and the Republic of Ireland through his parents.[2][6] Acheampong attended Forest School, Walthamstow, in Walthamstow, London.

Club career

On 3 January 2024, Acheampong signed his first professional contract with Chelsea.[7] 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[8] 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.[9]

Following a period of time away from the first team due to problems regarding the extension of his contract, he made his full debut against FC Astana on 12 December 2024 in the UEFA Conference League.[10][11] On 18 December, Chelsea announced that they have reached an agreement to extend Acheampong's contract to June 2029.[12] 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.[13] On 18 October 2025, he scored his first senior goal for Chelsea in a 3–0 away win against Nottingham Forest.[14]

International career

Acheampong is eligible for the England, Ireland and Ghana national teams.

In May 2023, Acheampong was a member of the England under-17 squad that finished fifth at the 2023 UEFA European Under-17 Championship.[15] 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.[16][17]

On 4 September 2024, Acheampong made his England U19 debut against Italy in Nedelišće.[18]

On 10 October, Acheampong made his U20 debut during a 2–1 win over Italy in Frosinone.[19]

On 8 September 2025, Acheampong made his debut for the England U21 during a 2–0 away win over Kazakhstan at the UEFA U21 Championship Qualification.[20]

Career statistics

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
ClubSeasonLeagueFA CupEFL CupEuropeOtherTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Chelsea2023–24[21]Premier League100000——10
2024–25[22]Premier League4000107[a]01[b]0130
2025–26[23]Premier League17141405[c]0—302
Career total221415012010442
  1. ^ Appearances in UEFA Conference League
  2. ^ Appearance in FIFA Club World Cup
  3. ^ Appearances in UEFA Champions League

Honours

Chelsea

References

  1. ^ "2023/24 Premier League squad lists". Premier League. 13 September 2023. Retrieved 5 May 2024.
  2. ^ "Josh Acheampong". Chelsea F.C. Retrieved 2 May 2024.
  3. ^ "Josh Acheampong". 11v11.com. AFS Enterprises. Retrieved 14 March 2025.
  4. ^ "Josh Acheampong". Chelseafc.com. Retrieved 9 July 2025.
  5. ^ "Chelsea secure rising star Josh-Kofi Acheampong with first pro contract". Ghana Soccernet. 3 January 2024. Retrieved 2 May 2024.
  6. ^ Kinsella, Nizaar. "Acheampong targeted by Ghana". BBC. Retrieved 19 November 2025.
  7. ^ "Acheampong signs professional contract". Chelsea F.C.. 3 January 2024. Retrieved 5 May 2024.
  8. ^ "Confirmed Chelsea line up vs Newcastle United". Chelsea F.C.. 11 March 2024. Retrieved 5 May 2024.
  9. ^ Burnton, Simon (2 May 2024). "Chelsea 2–0 Tottenham: Premier League – as it happened". The Guardian. Retrieved 2 May 2024.
  10. ^ Marsh, Dan (2024-10-23). "Maresca can't hide true feelings after Chelsea youngster is brutally frozen out". The Mirror. Retrieved 2024-12-13.
  11. ^ "Match report: Astana 1–3 Chelsea". Chelsea F.C.. 2024-12-12. Retrieved 2024-12-13.
  12. ^ "Josh Acheampong signs new Chelsea contract". Chelsea F.C.. 2024-12-18. Retrieved 2024-12-18.
  13. ^ "Maresca: Acheampong was the best player on the pitch". Premier League. 2025-01-04. Retrieved 2024-12-18.
  14. ^ "Nottingham Forest 0–3 Chelsea: Acheampong, Neto & James put Postecoglou on brink". OneFootball. 18 October 2025.
  15. ^ Veevers, Nicholas (17 May 2023). "England MU17s squad named for EURO Finals". England Football. The Football Association. Retrieved 5 May 2024.
  16. ^ Smith, Frank (2 November 2023). "England squad for the FIFA U-17 World Cup". England Football. The Football Association. Retrieved 5 May 2024.
  17. ^ "England v New Caledonia". ESPN. Retrieved 5 May 2024.
  18. ^ Veevers, Nicholas (4 September 2024). "Report: England MU19s 2–2 Italy". EnglandFootball.com. Retrieved 5 September 2024.
  19. ^ Vassell, Zac (10 October 2024). "Report: England Men's ELS 2–1 Italy". England Football. Retrieved 11 October 2024.
  20. ^ "Kazakhstan U21s 0–2 England U21s: Ethan Nwaneri and Jobe Bellingham score for Young Lions". BBC Sport. Retrieved 2025-09-09.
  21. ^
  22. ^
  23. ^
  24. ^ "Chelsea beat Real Betis 4–1 to win Conference League". BBC. 28 May 2025. Retrieved 28 May 2025.
  25. ^ Begley, Emlyn (13 July 2025). "Chelsea 3–0 PSG". BBC Sport. Retrieved 13 July 2025.
  26. ^ "FA Cup final LIVE: Chelsea vs Man City score, watch stream, commentary & updates". BBC Sport. Retrieved 2026-05-16.
  • Profile at the Chelsea F.C. website