With 14 days to go until Chelsea begin the defence of our Women’s Super League title against Tottenham Hotspur at Stamford Bridge, we profile fan favourite Fran Kirby, who has played a huge role in our success since joining in 2015.
Player Profile
Name: Fran Kirby
National Team: England
Place of Birth: Reading, England
Position: Forward
DOB: 29 June, 1993 (age 30)
Height: 1.57m (5 ft 2 in)
Chelsea career
Kirby is one of the most renowned footballers across the globe, known for being technically gifted and clinical in front of goal. Since joining from Reading in 2015, the 30-year-old has been influential in our success while becoming the club’s top goal scorer.
With 110 goals in 175 appearances for Chelsea, Kirby has enjoyed a trophy-laden career helping to add 14 trophies to our cabinet with six Women’s Super League titles, four FA Cups, two League Cups, one Community Shield and the WSL Spring Series to her name.
As well as collective success, Kirby has received numerous personal accolades at Chelsea. After 25 goals in all competitions in 2017/18, she won the PFA and FWA Player of the Year awards – the first to win the female version of the latter – and the club’s Women’s Player and Players’ Player of the Year.
Once again, her performances warranted individual recognition in 2020/21. She was named Chelsea Women’s Player of the Year, Barclays WSL Player of the Season and PFA Players’ Player of the Year – an award decided by votes of fellow professional footballers.
International duty
Shortly before joining Chelsea, Kirby was part of the England squad which finished third at the 2015 World Cup in Canada, a tournament in which she scored the Lionesses’ opening goal in a 2-1 win over Mexico.
At the 2017 European Championships, Kirby featured in four of England’s five matches on the way to the semi-finals. She netted her only goal of the tournament with less than two minutes on the clock in a group stage win over Spain.
Last year, Kirby was part of the history-making Lionesses squad who won the 2022 European Championship with victory over Germany, which saw them lift their first major trophy in front of a packed out Wembley Stadium.
Click here to secure your seats for the Blues opening WSL fixture against Tottenham Hotspur at Stamford Bridge on Sunday 1 October, with kick-off at 5.30pm (UK time).