Friday 1 June 2018 23:52, UK
Fran Kirby has signed a new contract at Chelsea Women that will keep her at the club until 2021.
The deal caps a remarkable 12 months for the newly-crowned PFA and FWA Women's Player of the Year, who joined Chelsea from Reading in 2015.
Kirby recovered from serious injury to help Chelsea win the Women's FA Cup and Women's Super League, as well as reach the Champions League semi-finals.
The 24-year-old scored 25 goals last season, including one against Arsenal at Wembley in the Women's FA Cup final.
Kirby told Chelseafc.com: "It's a massive step for me to commit to Chelsea, but one which I didn't hesitate to make.
"I've really enjoyed my time here - the staff have shown such faith in me and rewarding me with this new contract is amazing.
"Other players have also signed new contracts recently and it shows what people want to achieve with Chelsea and how much we love it here.
"I've grown to love this club and there is a real sense of family here. That's why people want to stay. Everyone wants to win for this club - we all love each other in the dressing room."
Kirby picked up the inaugural Football Writers Association Women's Footballer of the Year award in April just days after winning the vote for the Professional Footballers' Association Women's Player of the Year.
"At the beginning of the season I'd have never dreamed of achieving what I have done personally," she added.
"That was never in my mind, I was only thinking about winning trophies with my team.
"My attitude doesn't change. If you ask all the girls, they'll tell you I'll always give 100 per cent to win for my team. You can see in our celebrations how much everyone enjoys winning together and how important it is to us."
Manager Emma Hayes said: "Fran is one of the best players in Europe at what she does.
"She's had a wonderful year in terms of both scoring and assisting, and her excellent work from the front, but she's got massive ambition to improve in the Champions League, as do I.
"That's the next level for all of us - can we push ourselves to achieve more at that level?"
"Fran is so hard working and I always tell people that you have to see just how much work she does behind the scenes.
"To come back from injury and lead the way in terms of appearances and goals is something she deserves immense credit for."
