When first arriving from Reading back in 2015, few could have predicted the incredible impact Kirby would have on Chelsea. However, fresh from her World Cup exploits for the Lionesses in Canada, the then 22-year-old was about to take her career to the next level.

Kirby would eventually spend the best part of the next decade becoming one of the greatest players in Chelsea history. Fifteen major honours and countless individual accolades would follow over nine hugely successful years in Blue.

There are so many standout performances and highlights that will live long in the memory, almost too many to choose from. But here we’ve picked out five of the best…

(Fran video message)

Birmingham City (H) - August 2015

There’s no better way to start your career at a new club than with a debut goal.

And that’s exactly how Kirby announced herself to the supporters when the Blues hosted Birmingham City in the WSL back in August 2015.

The game was already won, with Chelsea 3-0 up, but Kirby’s emphatic finish after running through on goal gave the fans at Staines a moment to savour.

Five years later a double against Benfica would see her become the club’s record goalscorer of the modern era.

Glasgow City (H) - October 2015

Kirby had some of her best moments in a Blue shirt on the continent. Perhaps fitting then that the England international scored the winner on our European bow.

Chelsea’s very first UEFA Women’s Champions League tie saw us host Glasgow City in the last 32, with the first leg at Wheatsheaf Park.

The game was settled thanks to a typical Kirby goal. Skipping away from her marker, she managed to fire home a clean strike from the edge of the area, giving us victory in our maiden continental fixture.

Manchester City (H) - April 2016

Few of Kirby’s Chelsea goals have come in more dramatic fashion than the 2016 FA Cup semi-final at home to Manchester City.

City had snatched the lead after the break when Scotland's Jane Ross poked in from close range.

But Ji So-Yun's curling free-kick helped us force extra time and keep alive hopes of retaining the trophy. The extra period was tense and edgy, with penalties looking inevitable.

However, Kirby had other ideas. A determined run was followed by a high quality low finish into the corner to set off wild celebrations and book our return to Wembley.

Bayern Munich (A) - October 2017

The Champions League always seemed to bring out the best in Fran and that was again the case back in 2017.

Taking on Bayern Munich in the round of 32, Emma Hayes’ side held a one-goal advantage from the first leg, but knew they would face a tough game out in Germany, with their hosts one of the favourites for that year’s competition.

After surviving a first-half onslaught, a goal from Kirby on the hour mark would prove vital. Our No.14 raced clear of the Bayern defence and clinically found the top corner to give us a precious away goal.

It would prove the difference. With the German side finding two of the three goals needed through Gemma Davison's own goal and Lucie Vonkova's tap-in, Chelsea progressed thanks to Kirby’s fine strike.

Arsenal (N) – December 2021

Kirby won five FA Cups during her time at the club, with the delayed 2021 final perhaps her finest hour during the competition.

The all-capital final with Arsenal, which took place seven months later than expected due to the COVID-19 pandemic, was predicted to be a close final but Hayes’ side were just too good on the day.

And it was Kirby who set the tone, capitalising on a mistake at the back before driving the ball into the far corner to net within three minutes.

Only the woodwork prevented her from a second, before she then turned provider as Sam Kerr got our second after half-time.

The Blues were eventually 3-0 winners, with Kirby turning in an utterly dominant performance.

Fran Kirby is not only our record goalscorer but will ultimately go down as one of the greatest players in Chelsea history.