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[2]
Place of birth London, England[3]
Height 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)[3]
Position(s) Right-back, centre-back
Team information
Current team
 Chelsea
Number 63
Youth career
–2024 Chelsea
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2024– Chelsea 1 (0)
International career‡
2022 England U16 3 (0)
2022–2023 England U17 19 (1)
2023–2024 England U18 4 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 2 May 2024
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 2 May 2024

Early life

Born in London, Acheampong is of Ghanaian descent.[4] He first joined Chelsea's academy as an Under-8.[2]

Club career

On 3 January 2024, Acheampong signed his first professional contract with Chelsea.[5] Acheampong was included in a match-day squad for the Chelsea men's senior team for the first time on 11 March 2024, being named amongst the substitutes in the Premier League match against Newcastle United;[6] however, he ultimately went unused in that game. 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.[7] His inclusion in the match-day squad against Tottenham came amidst several injuries to more experienced first-team players.

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.[8] 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.[9][10]

Career statistics
As of match played 2 May 2024
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League FA Cup EFL Cup Europe Other Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Chelsea 2023–24[11]Premier League100000—0010
Career total 100000000010

    References
    1. "2023/24 Premier League squad lists". Premier League. 13 September 2023. Retrieved 5 May 2024.
    2. "Josh Acheampong". Chelsea Football Club. Retrieved 2 May 2024.
    3. "Josh Acheampong". World Football.net. Retrieved 2 May 2024.
    4. "Chelsea secure rising star Josh-Kofi Acheampong with first pro contract". Ghana Soccernet. 3 January 2024. Retrieved 2 May 2024.
    5. "Acheampong signs professional contract". Chelsea F.C. 3 January 2024. Retrieved 5 May 2024.
    6. "Confirmed Chelsea line up vs Newcastle United". Chelsea F.C. 11 March 2024. Retrieved 5 May 2024.
    7. Burnton, Simon (2 May 2024). "Chelsea 2-0 Tottenham: Premier League – as it happened". The Guardian. Retrieved 2 May 2024.
    8. Veevers, Nicholas (17 May 2023). "England MU17s squad named for EURO Finals". England Football. The Football Association. Retrieved 5 May 2024.
    9. Smith, Frank (2 November 2023). "England squad for the FIFA U-17 World Cup". England Football. The Football Association. Retrieved 5 May 2024.
    10. "England v New Caledonia". ESPN. Retrieved 5 May 2024.
    11. "Games played by Josh Acheampong in 2023/2024". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 5 May 2024.
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