Fran Kirby will leave Chelsea when her contract expires at the end of the season, ending her nine-year stay at the club.
The 30-year-old attacking midfielder joined Chelsea from Reading in 2015 and has scored 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 final of the Champions League in 2021.
“I think the club has obviously grown since I joined, in terms of fans and engagement,” Kirby said at the announcement.
“Having been there from the start at Staines, playing in front of an incredible crowd there and now at Stamford Bridge. We are selling 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 hugging me from day one. Helping me get through some really tough times and also sharing some amazing moments with me. I will never forget what it feels like to perform in front of all of you.
“I hope I have left the club and the shirt in a place where you can all be proud of me.”
Managing director Paul Green said: “Fran has been a hugely important player for us over the last nine years. She played a vital role in the club’s success, winning 15 trophies and winning numerous individual accolades.
“She is the club’s top scorer 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 missed the majority of the 2019-20 season after being diagnosed with cardiac pericarditis and was absent for the final stages of the 2021-22 campaign due to fatigue.
Her appearances in the 2022-23 season have been limited due to a knee injury, while she has started nine WSL matches this campaign.
Kirby also played internationally 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 end this season trophyless with Manchester City favorites to win the WSL, while Chelsea manager Emma Hayes will leave the club at the end of the season to take charge of the USWNT.
Longtime defender Maren Mjelde will also leave at the end of the season while experienced goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger joined Gotham FC of the NWSL last month.
(Harriet Lander – Chelsea FC/Chelsea FC via Getty Images)