Chelsea Ladies Sign England International Fran Kirby
The striker scored England’s first goal of the Women’s World Cup in the 2-1 win over Mexico as the Lionesses went on to finish third overall.
Kirby said: ‘Chelsea is one of the best clubs in the world and now is a really good time for me to step up in my career.
‘Myself and my family feel very privileged to be a part of the club. It’s pretty incredible for me, the last couple of months have been a bit of a whirlwind and moving here is the cherry on top.’
The 22-year-old joins from Reading where she scored 29 goals for the Women’s Super League 2 side last term and a further 11 in just five appearances this season, prior to the World Cup.
Kirby’s performances for Reading in the 2014 season saw her named the inaugural WSL 2 Players’ Player of the Year.
The England international has signed a three-and-a-half-year contract with the Blues and goes straight into manager Emma Hayes’s squad for this weekend’s FA WSL 1 match with Bristol Academy at Wheatsheaf Park, Staines.
Hayes, whose side sit top of the table and unbeaten as the league returns from its mid-season break, said: ‘We’re delighted we’ve been able to get Fran on board, she is a very exciting young talent and I think she can go on to become a Chelsea great. Our aim is to win trophies here and Fran can play a major part in that for years to come.’
Source/Photo courtesy of: chelsealadiesfc.com
Okay so with Ji soyun and fran kirby, I guess I’m a chelsea supporter now xD. Can’t wait for their match against notts county at wembley (will be on site!)
Haha!
Emma has built and is still building such a strong squad I am looking forward to watching them play.