Chelsea Ladies FC were delighted to announce the signing of Fran Kirby from Reading. Recently, Fran Kirby commented that she “does not know” the amount of money paid by the club to sign her from Reading.
The England striker, Kirby’s previous club told the negotiation was a British women’s record transfer cost. This statement was refused by Chelsea.
Kirby, who is 22-years-old, informed the BBC London, “Whether it was a record fee, I don’t know any of the figures.
“I’m not here to worry about the money. There is some pressure, but that comes with playing for a top side. I’ve just got to make sure I’m playing well.”
Kirby’s fee has been noted to be in between £40,000 and £60,000. In comparison with Fran’s confidential fee, Liverpool negotiated with Manchester City over £49m for the transfer of Raheem Sterling. This contract would make the winger the most costly English player until now. Also, he is only 20-years-old.
When asked if she thought women’s transfer would ever draw so much money, Kirby replied, “For the women’s game, I wouldn’t like to see that kind of money being splashed around, because I think it would change the game too much.
“But I think there are ways that it can develop and there is a lot more funding that can go into it.
“If you look at some clubs which aren’t professional at the moment, they’ve got some players who are on £25 a week.
“How are you supposed to improve a player when they’re travelling three hours a night to try to get to training and they’re only getting £25 a week?”
Kirby also added, “But that’s something the clubs need to work out and that’s where comparing it to men’s game is so difficult, because there’s so much money in the men’s game.”
Emma Hayes, Chelsea boss, defined Fran Kirby as her side’s “missing piece” in their search for the first major silver medal. Kirby will make her first appearance on Saturday in opposition to Sunderland.
