Fran Kirby has introduced she’s going to depart Chelsea Ladies on the finish of the season after 9 years on the membership.
The 30-year-old ahead will depart the membership on the finish of her contract as their all-time main scorer having netted 115 targets in 205 appearances since her arrival from Studying in 2015.
Kirby has received a complete of 14 trophies throughout right here embellished spell in west London, together with 5 Ladies’s Tremendous League titles, 4 FA Cups and two League Cups.
She can be a two-time winner of the PFA Ladies’s Participant of the Yr and Soccer Writers’ Ladies’s awards and has received 70 caps for England, scoring 19 targets and serving to them win the Euros in 2022.
Her exit comes as Chelsea put together to embark on a brand new chapter, with Sonia Bompastor set to switch the long-serving Emma Hayes as head coach on the finish of the marketing campaign.
“I always wanted to win growing up, so coming to a club that shared that ambition was something that I valued,” Kirby informed the membership’s official web site. “That is likely one of the primary causes I joined the membership. I imagine the membership may assist me try this.
“To depart with the trophies that I’ve received, with the team-mates I’ve performed with – among the world’s greatest gamers – it has been one of many largest privileges of my life.
“The support I’ve had has been unmatched. When I had my illness, my injuries, that’s when I’ve made some friends for life. I will never forget that no matter how bad I felt during those moments, I always felt loved and supported.
“For me, I was just a young girl who loved football. And it still is that now. I’m a bit older now, but still someone who just loves to play football.
“A part of my job is to play properly, win trophies and soccer video games. If I can try this and encourage younger ladies to be footballers or any type of athlete. That’s sufficient for me.
“Growing up I never thought I could impact it so much. So I’m really proud I have been able to impact in a positive way and doing that for a club like Chelsea is something I’m really proud of.
“Hopefully, I depart the membership in a greater place than once I first got here in. For me then, the job is finished.
Kirby has received 70 caps for England Ladies
“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.
“Thanks for embracing me from day one. Serving to me overcome some actually troublesome instances and likewise sharing some superb instances with me. I’ll always remember the way it felt to play in entrance 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.”
