Joshua Kofi Acheampong was born on 5 May 2006 in London to parents of Ghanaian descent, and joined Chelsea's academy as an Under-8, working his way through every level of the club's development system before signing his first professional contract in January 2024.
He made his senior debut on 2 May 2024 — three days before his 18th birthday — coming off the bench in an 85th-minute appearance during a 2–0 Premier League win over Tottenham Hotspur at Stamford Bridge. After a contract dispute temporarily kept him away from the first team, he returned to make his full debut in the UEFA Conference League in December 2024, and quickly earned a Premier League start against Crystal Palace in January 2025, a performance that drew public praise from head coach Enzo Maresca. He scored his first senior goal in a 3–0 away win against Nottingham Forest in October 2025, and has since added two major honours to his name: the UEFA Conference League in 2024–25 and the FIFA Club World Cup in 2025.
A versatile defender capable of operating at right-back, centre-back, or left-back, Acheampong brings athleticism and composure across the backline. Chelsea continue to view him as a key part of their long-term defensive plans, having extended his contract through June 2029.
Eligible for England, Ghana, and the Republic of Ireland internationally, he has represented England at Under-17, Under-19, Under-20, and Under-21 level, making his England U21 debut in September 2025 in a 2–0 win over Kazakhstan.