Fran Kirby will leave Chelsea when her contract expires at the end of the season — bringing her nine-year spell at the club to an end.
The 30-year-old attacking midfielder joined Chelsea from Reading in 2015 and has gone on to score 105 goals in 205 appearances for the club.
The England international has played a key role in Chelsea’s recent domestic successes, winning 15 major trophies during her nine years in west London — including six Women’s Super League (WSL) titles, while reaching the Champions League final in 2021.
“I think obviously the club has grown since I first joined, in terms of fans and engagements,” Kirby said upon the announcement.
“To have been there from the beginning at Staines, playing in front of an amazing crowd there and now to Stamford Bridge. We’re selling out the Bridge. It’s been an incredible journey with all of you.
Thank you, Chelsea 💙 pic.twitter.com/HoFDcbYXxa
— Fran Kirby (@frankirby) May 4, 2024
“Thank you for embracing me from day one. Helping me overcome some really difficult times and also sharing some amazing times with me. I will never forget how it felt to play in front of all of you.
“I hope I have left the club and the shirt in a place where you all can be proud of me.”
General manager Paul Green said: “Fran has been a hugely important player for us over the last nine years. She has played an integral role in the club’s success, winning 15 trophies and earning numerous individual accolades.
“She is the club’s leading goalscorer in the modern era and leaves Chelsea with legendary status. We sincerely thank Fran for her contributions and wish her well for the future.”
Kirby has won 15 trophies at Chelsea (Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)
Kirby missed the majority of the 2019-20 season after being diagnosed with the heart condition pericarditis and was absent for the closing stages of the 2021-22 campaign due to fatigue.
Her appearances in the 2022-23 season were restricted due to a knee injury, while she has started nine WSL matches this campaign.
Kirby has also starred at international level with England, scoring 19 goals in 70 caps for the Lionesses.
She started every match at Euro 2022 — scoring two goals — as England were crowned European Champions, but missed the 2023 World Cup with a knee injury.
Chelsea could finish this season trophy-less with Manchester City favourites to win the WSL, while Chelsea manager Emma Hayes is leaving the club at the end of the season to take charge of the USWNT.
Long-serving defender Maren Mjelde will also move on at the end of the season while experienced goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger left for NWSL side Gotham FC last month.
(Harriet Lander – Chelsea FC/Chelsea FC via Getty Images)
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