OFFICIAL: Fran Kirby will LEAVE Chelsea at the end of the season

Fran Kirby has announced she will leave Chelsea when her contract expires at the end of the season.

The forward, who is the club’s all-time leading goalscorer, joined the Blues from Reading for a in 2015 and has gone on to win 13 trophies in nine years.

There has been uncertainty over Kirby’s future for some time, with the forward saying earlier in the season that talks had not taken place over a new deal.

Kirby has had a strong relationship with Chelsea boss Emma Hayes, who will also leave the club at the end of the season, and the forward paid tribute to her manager as she revealed her exit on social media.

Kirby has had to overcome several obstacles during her Chelsea career.

In November 2019, Kirby was diagnosed with pericarditis, a rare condition that is caused by fluid and inflammation of the sac that protects the heart.

The illness left her barely able to walk and kept her out of the game for eight months and the 28-year-old came close to early retirement.

The forward recovered to make England’s Euro 2022-winning squad and started every fixture but was ruled out of last summer’s World Cup with a knee injury.

Kirby has made 18 appearances in the WSL this season, scoring two goals. In December 2020, she became the club’s leading goalscorer as she netted her 69th and 70th goals against Benfica, surpassing the previous 68-goal record held by Eni Aluko.

Chelsea are set to pay tribute to Kirby, Maren Mjelde, who also announced her departure this week, and Hayes at their last home match of the season on Sunday.

The Blues take on Bristol City at Kingsmeadow in a game they have to win to keep their WSL title hopes alive.