Mark Sampson’s ‘mini-Messi’ has agreed a three-and-a-half-year deal with Emma Hayes’s FA WSL 1 side Chelsea in what is reportedly a record deal.
Kirby, who has been with Reading since she was just 7 years old, was full of praise for her old club, while obviously excited about the opportunities offered by league leaders Chelsea.
It is the battling spirit with which she carved out her scoring chance for England during the World Cup that earned her the infamous nickname, together with her great balance and ability to run with the ball. Kirby brings that spirit to every game she plays, match that with her goal scoring proficiency; top scorer in last season’s WSL2 with 24 goals and this season 11 goals in just five games and its easy to see why Chelsea have snapped up this young talent.
Now on Kirby’s horizon is the FA Cup Final on 1 August, when she will have another chance to play at Wembley, and European football – I’m sure she will flourish.
We wish Fran every success at Chelsea.
