Fran Kirby

Fran Kirby, born on June twenty-ninth, nineteen ninety-three, is a distinguished English professional footballer renowned for her role as an attacking midfielder. Currently, she plays for Brighton & Hove Albion in the Women's Super League, having previously made a significant impact at Chelsea from July two thousand fifteen until May two thousand twenty-four.

Kirby's football journey began with her hometown club, Reading, where she honed her skills before making the pivotal move to Chelsea. Her international career took flight in August two thousand fourteen when she earned her first senior cap for the England national team. She has since represented her country in prestigious tournaments, including the FIFA Women's World Cup in two thousand fifteen and two thousand nineteen, as well as the UEFA Women's Euro in two thousand seventeen and two thousand twenty-two, where she celebrated victory in the final.

Throughout her career, Kirby has received numerous accolades, including the PFA Women's Players' Player of the Year award for the 2017–18 season and the inaugural Football Writers' Women's Footballer of the Year. She achieved the remarkable feat of winning both awards again in the 2020–21 season. In two thousand twenty-one, she was recognized on the Ballon d'Or shortlist, ranking tenth, and was also named seventh in The Guardian's The 100 Best Female Footballers In The World.

As of May two thousand twenty-four, Kirby holds the record as Chelsea's leading goalscorer, with one hundred sixteen goals, a title she has maintained since December two thousand twenty. Her contributions to the sport and her club have solidified her status as one of the most influential players in women's football.