The midfielder joined the club from the Barclays Women's Super League (WSL) side on a permanent deal, having spent the first half of the 2025/26 season on loan at Southampton Women.

Akpan's move to the Magpies brought to an end a 12-year spell with the Blues having been with them since the age of seven.

She made her first team debut for Chelsea aged 17, coming on a substitute in the Women's FA Cup against Reading Women and she subsequently signed her first professional contract later that year.

Akpan has experience playing in the WSL2 for Birmingham City Women, making 15 appearances.

At international level, she has represented England through the youth age groups up to under-23s level.