Fran Kirby confirms Chelsea exit in tearful farewell video: 'It's been an incredible journey' | OneFootball

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Lionesses star Fran Kirby has confirmed she will be leaving Chelsea at the end of this season.

The attacking midfielder has been with the Blues for nine years and enjoyed incredible success with them.

Kirby has scored 115 goals in 205 total appearances and helped Chelsea to win 15 trophies, including six Women’s Super League (WSL) titles.

The 30-year-old, however, is out of contract in the summer and has confirmed that she will be moving on.

“To leave with the trophies that I have won, with the team-mates I’ve played with – some of the world’s best players – it has been one of the biggest privileges of my life,” said Kirby, during a tearful goodbye video to the Chelsea fans.

“I always wanted to win growing up, so coming to a club that shared that ambition was something that I valued. That is one of the main reasons I joined the club. I believe the club could help me do that.

“Growing up I always wanted to be the best and win. That was just an inner drive in myself, I didn’t need the accolades, I just wanted to win. I wanted to keep pushing myself to them limits.

“I still have that now. For me the personal accolades are a bonus on top of what we were already achieving.

“Everything that I’ve won – whether a team trophy or personal trophy – or a goal, it’s always down to everyone else’s work that goes on.

“Maybe sometimes people don’t get the recognition they deserve and for me, I will never forget any player I’ve played with that has contributed to any success. I’m fully aware that everything else I’ve achieved is because of others in the team and the people around me.

“The support I’ve had has been unmatched. When I had my illness, my injuries, that’s when I’ve made some friends for life. I will never forget that no matter how bad I felt during those moments, I always felt loved and supported.

“I think obviously the club has grown since I first joined, in terms of fans and engagements.

“To have been there from the beginning at Staines, playing in front of an amazing crowd there and now to Stamford Bridge. We’re selling out the Bridge. It’s been an incredible journey with all of you.

“Thank you for embracing me from day one. Helping me overcome some really difficult times and also sharing some amazing times with me. I will never forget how it felt to play in front of all of you.

“I hope I have left the club and the shirt in a place where you all can be proud of me.”