Fran Kirby: England star joins Brighton on free transfer after leaving Chelsea – ‘I'm a competitive player’
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Published 04/07/2024 at 21:51 GMT+1
Brighton made a statement signing on Thursday by securing the signature of England star Fran Kirby on a free transfer. Kirby left The Blues as one of their most successful players at the end of last season and was hailed as "one of the most decorated English footballers of all time" by her new club. Kirby won five Women's Super League titles in a row before leaving Chelsea.
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Brighton lauded new signing Fran Kirby as “one of the most decorated English footballers of all time” after the Lionesses and Chelsea legend joined on a free transfer.
Kirby departed the London club after a trophy-laden nine-year spell at the end of the 2023/24 season when her contract expired.
The 31-year-old penned a deal with Women’s Super League rivals Brighton on Thursday, marking a huge coup for the south coast side.
"We’re absolutely thrilled to welcome Fran to the club," said Brighton managing director Zoe Johnson in a statement.
"She arrives as one of the most decorated English footballers of all time, playing an integral role in Chelsea’s recent dominance, as well as on the international stage having been a part of England’s Euro 2022 win.
"Her experience on the pitch will be just as important off it and we have no doubt that she will help us take a significant step towards our long-term targets."
Kirby arrives at Brighton on the back of winning five consecutive WSL titles with Chelsea.
A two-time FWA Women’s Footballer of the Year, she was also a key member of the Lionesses side who won the European Championship in 2022.
Brighton finished ninth last season in the WSL but will be hoping the capture of Kirby can propel them up the standings in 2024/25.
Speaking to the club's website, Kirby said: “I wanted to stay in the league and when I spoke to Brighton and obviously my old team-mate, Maria, it was some really exciting conversations in terms of the ambitions that the club has going forward.
“I think you can already see that with the signings that have already been announced over the last couple of days where the club sees itself. And for me, it was just exciting to hear that kind of passion come from a football club and to be part of another project really and come in as a bit of an older, more experienced player.”
She continued: “I'm a competitive trainer, I'm a competitive player. I wanted to go somewhere where I could keep my standards up and help bring them into another club.
“I wanted to stay in this league because I still want to be competing week in week out. And as long as I can help a team progress, that's what I want to do.
“When I spoke to the people at Brighton and they told me how behind Tony Bloom is of the women's game and how much they want to invest in it and push it forward and then seeing the facilities here, for me it was a really exciting opportunity and one I couldn't really turn down.”
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