Kirby 'nearly' moved abroad after Chelsea exit

England playmaker Fran Kirby says she nearly moved abroad after her contract ended at Chelsea in the summer, but is "really happy" she decided to stay in the Women's Super League with Brighton.

The 31-year-old, whose career has been plagued by injuries and illness, won eight league titles in a nine-year stint with Chelsea.

But she says she knew it was time for a new challenge when her contract expired at the end of last season.

"For me it just got to a point - and for the club as well - where we both knew that something needed to change and I needed to do something else," she told BBC Radio 5 Live's Women's Football Weekly podcast.

"Just freshen it up and freshen myself up in terms of how I see football, how I play."

She says she spoke to a number of different clubs, including a couple abroad, and "nearly" decided to move overseas.

"I was very close and spoke to some fantastic clubs and fantastic people," said Kirby, who has spent her entire club career in the south of England.

"But what it came down to in terms of my decision was being close to family.

"We're not getting any younger so for me to be around the people I love for as long as I can be, that was the deciding factor."

After a long spell at Chelsea, Kirby says she was "very, very nervous" about making the move but is enjoying her new surroundings.

"I embraced the change with open arms and I'm really enjoying it," she said.

"I'm in a really good place mentally and obviously physically in terms of being able to play."

Kirby has started every league game for the Seagulls this season, scoring two goals and providing one assist, but says it has been the reaction from her friends and family that has convinced her she made the right choice.

"I can feel it but when those around are messaging me, saying 'you look really happy', then that is the gold star.

"It's very early on still, but I've really enjoyed it and really felt like I've grown more as a person as well making that change."

Kirby's move to Brighton was fuelled by her hope of getting more minutes on the pitch, as well as "trying to find myself again and being the player I want to be".

And the former Reading player, who started every match as England won Euro 2022, is dreaming of a European title defence in Switzerland next summer.

She is part of the Lionesses' current squad, but is no longer an automatic starter for Sarina Wiegman's side - who play Germany on Friday.

"For me it's taking one step at a time, getting through the next few months with Brighton - being able to play as much as I can, hopefully starting every game," Kirby said.

"Being able to do that is just going to give me confidence going into next summer.

"I always had my eye on the tournament, of course, but for me the way my career has been, one step at a time, take it slow, take it easy, just do the right thing."