Fran Kirby joins Chelsea Women for British record fee

Chelsea Women have signed England international striker Fran Kirby from Reading Women for a British record transfer fee.

The 22-year-old played a key role for England during their recent run to the semi-finals at the Women's World Cup.

Reading have confirmed that the money received for Kirby will be put towards the running of their women's team.

"Of course there is sadness to see Fran leave the club that she has been at for 15 years," manager Kelly Chambers told Reading's official website.

"I have been lucky enough to have worked with her in all the time she has been here. I have seen her develop as a person as well as a player. It was a really hard decision for me to let Fran go but it is something that I felt I needed to let Fran do."

Kirby has scored three goals in nine appearances for England Women.