Signing Fran Kirby a statement of intent from Brighton Women

Lionesses star and one of the most recognisable, popular players in English women’s football history Fran Kirby has signed for Brighton Women. How about that for a sentence you never expected to write?

Kirby joins on a free transfer after leaving Chelsea, where she won 15 trophies in nine years. That haul includes six WSL titles, five FA Cups and two League Cups.

Her 116 goals make her the Blues’ leading scorer and she also holds Chelsea’s club record for assists with 76.

Kirby came to national prominence for her starring roles as England won the 2022 European Championships on home soil.

She started every game for the Lionesses, battling back from four months out with extreme fatigue in the lead up to the tournament.

Her overall international record reads 19 goals in 70 appearances and she was named Football Writers’ Association’s first Women’s Footballer of the Year award in 2018.

Kirby had been linked with clubs in the US and Scandinavia after announcing her time at Chelsea was over.

Her preference though was always rumoured to be remaining in the south east of England, where she has spent her entire life and career.

With Arsenal not requiring her services, that left four realistic options. Tottenham Hotspur, West Ham United, Brighton or WSL newcomers Crystal Palace.

Spurs were said to have concerns about wages when they already have some big-hitters on their books. Palace meanwhile were never likely to be able to afford Kirby or offer the security of a long contract with most newly promoted teams ending up relegated immediately back to the Championship.

But even with the Albion the most likely WSL destination, Fran Kirby signing for Brighton Women seemed nothing more than a pipe dream.

The Seagulls have not had a permanent head coach since sacking Mel Phillips at the end of January. One of their best young players has already left in England international Katie Robinson.

Last season’s top scorer Elisabeth Terland seems likely to follow suit with her contract soon to expire and Manchester United interested.

The arrival of Kirby puts all those issues in the shade. It represents a serious statement of intent from the Albion at a time when they have never looked further from Tony Bloom’s stated ambition of becoming a top four WSL outfit.

Kirby’s on-pitch talent speaks for itself, even at 30-years-old and with a couple of lengthy spells out injured and fatigued to her name.

The doubters might say she is decline, but even a Frank Kirby in decline is a class above most other players in the current Brighton Women squad.

But Kirby can also make a difference off-the-pitch. Since 2022, Brighton Women have predictably posted their biggest attendances whenever any of the Euros-winning Lionesses have been in opposition. Now Albion supporters can watch one every week in the stripes.

Kirby’s star power can help take Brighton Women to the next level in terms of support and interest. There are Seagulls supporters who previously had no care for the Women’s team before talking about Kirby. And just look at the number of non-Albion fans discussing the move.

When Brighton confirmed the signing of Kirby, it received greater coverage in the press than the club-record £30 million capture of Yankubu Minteh from Newcastle United earlier in the week. It is that big a deal.

Throughout her career, Kirby has talked about legacies and inspiring young girls to play football. She has already done that at Chelsea, her arrival leading to the Blues’ domination of English football.

Signing for Brighton gives Kirby the opportunity to help build another legacy at another WSL club. The Albion have ambitious plans to create the first women’s specific football stadium in the country having already invested in arguably the best training facilities of any WSL club.

Whilst the organisation and decision making on the managerial and playing side has left a lot to be desired over the past few seasons, nobody can doubt Bloom’s commitment financially or to infrastructure.

Depending on when (or if from a cynic’s viewpoint) the stadium is built, Kirby could find herself the face of it. The Lioness who won the Euros and broke every record going at Chelsea could now help establish Brighton Women as a genuine force in the WSL.

All rather exciting, isn’t it?