Fran Kirby has joined FA WSL 1 leaders Chelsea Ladies, the club have confirmed.

The England international has put pen to paper on a three and a half year deal, leaving Reading after 14 years with the club, albeit not without providing them with some significant funds as her transfer to Chelsea has been reported as the most expensive in the history of British women's football.

Kirby leaves message for fans

Whilst the fee remains undisclosed, Reading have announced the fee to be such a record, and Kirby herself is happy that she demanded such money, writing in her farewell letter to the Royals' fans that "investment is so important to the ladies' setup" and thus she is "proud" to have "been able to leave a little bit of a legacy" behind by giving the club this money.

Kirby called her "journey at Reading" one that has been "very, very special" and she thanked the club for "support[ing] [her] in so many ways." However, she admitted that she is "obviously" looking forward to her new chapter at Chelsea, calling the opportunity they offered her one she "couldn't turn down" given that they are "top of the league and in the FA Cup final."

The 22-year-old will also play UEFA Women's Champions League football in autumn after the Blues finished second in the 2014 FA WSL.

Kirby concluded her message to the fans by writing that she is "look[ing] forward to playing [Reading] in WSL 1 next season," with the club sat at the top of WSL 2 with half of the season played and a firm favourite to finish in one of two promotion places available this year.

Hayes confident about Kirby's talent

Chelsea manager Emma Hayes told the club's website that she is "delighted" with the signing of Kirby, calling her "an exciting young talent" who she believes "can go on to become a Chelsea great." 

Hayes is confident that the player "can play a major part" in helping the team achieve their "aim...to win trophies" "for years to come."

Kirby leaves Reading after two and half years with their first team, during which she played 40 games and scored an incredible 66 goals - 24 of which came in the 2014 season as she finished as the FA WSL 2's top scorer. The step up to the top flight will allow her to improve as a player and challenge her more in terms of the quality of the defenders and goalkeepers she will come up against.

The striker also has nine caps for England's senior team and has scored three goals since his first appearance for them in August of last year. She scored on her debut in a 4-0 win over Sweden, whilst the 22-year-old also netted at this year's FIFA Women's World Cup, opening the scoring in the Lionesses' 2-1 win over Mexico.