England great Fran Kirby joins Brighton after Chelsea exit

England great Fran Kirby has signed for Brighton & Hove Albion following her exit from Chelsea at the end of last season.

Kirby, 31, spent the last nine years with Chelsea, winning seven Women's Super League titles, including the last five. She has also won 72 caps for England, scoring 19 goals, and started every game en route to the Euro 2022 title.

"We're absolutely thrilled to welcome Fran to the club," Brighton's managing director of women's and girls' football Zoe Johnson said as part of the team's announcement .

"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."

The attacking midfielder also has a host of individual accolades to her name, including winning the PFA Women's Players' Player of the Year in 2018 and 2021.

Brighton finished ninth in last season's WSL.