Waterford FC can confirm that Romeo Akachukwu has departed the club to join English Premier League club Southampton FC for a club-record undisclosed fee.
Akachukwu joined the Blues from Ferrybank AFC in 2019 for our U13 side, before progressing through the academy ranks where he made huge strides in his personal development.
After having successful years with our U15 & U17 sides, Romeo was rewarded for his efforts with his first-team debut at home to Treaty United FC in the SSE Airtricity League First Division at the age of just 15, making a substitute appearance in the final minutes as the Blues defeated their Munster rivals 4-0 at the RSC. This appearance made Romeo the youngest appearance maker for the Blues in 58 years.
Romeo made a further two substitute appearances for the Blues in 2022 – away to Malahide United in the FAI Cup, before coming on in our final away game of the season against Bray Wanderers.
Along with making his first-team debut in 2022, Akachukwu made his international debut for the Republic of Ireland against Macedonia in a 3-2 in March of 2022, before earning his second cap away to Switzerland the following month.
The bright midfielder made a larger impact amongst the Blues squad in 2023, appearing in 23 games for the first-team, as he helped Waterford return to the top flight of Irish Football in the Premier Division.
He netted his first senior goal for the first-team in the Blues’ FAI Cup Second Round clash against non-league side St. Michaels AFC as the Blues earned a 5-0 win in the prestigious cup competition.
Akachukwu wrote his name into the club history books in October of 2023, as he came off the bench to net an incredible hat-trick to help the Blues defeat Athlone Town AFC 3-1 (4-2 on aggregate) at the RSC in their First Division Play-Off Semi-Final second-leg, before going on to defeat Cobh Ramblers & then Cork City in the Promotion/Relegation Play-Off Final to earn the Blues their place in the 2024 SSE Airtricity Men’s Premier Division.
Along with his huge club involvement, Romeo also lit up the European stage for his country, as he helped the Republic of Ireland qualify for the U17 European Championships which took place in Hungary. Grouped alongside the hosts Hungary, Poland & Wales, the Republic of Ireland picked up six points from their three group games with wins over Hungary & Wales, with Romeo scoring a stunning effort from distance in their 3-0 victory over Wales in their second group game.
Akachukwu made a further nine appearances for Keith Long’s side in 2024 – seven of which came in the SSE Airtricity Men’s Premier Division. His most recent appearance came in May, in the Blues 4-2 victory over Drogheda United FC at the RSC.
Romeo made a total of 35 appearances for the Blues’ first-team over a two-year period – netting five times for his local club, and now makes the move across the Irish Sea to join newly-promoted Premier League side Southampton FC ahead of their 2024 season.
Everyone at Waterford FC would like to congratulate Romeo on his move, and thank him for his efforts whilst a Blue. We wish Romeo the very best of luck in his future career – a career that everyone in Waterford will be watching closely – and we look forward to welcoming Romeo back to the RSC as a supporter in the years to come.
Once a Blue, Always a Blue.
