Kirby will embrace pressure with a smile

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Albion striker looking forward to making her mark with Albion.

Bruce Talbot

2024-07-06T06:30:00Z

Fran Kirby won seven WSL titles with Chelsea and knows all about the pressure of elite-level sport.

Fran Kirby says she will thrive on the pressure of performing for her new club.

Kirby is the most high-profile signing in the history of Albion’s women’s team and knows that comes with a level of expectation. But after nine seasons with Chelsea when she won 15 trophies including seven WSL titles the England international will embrace the challenge with a smile on her face.

“I think there's always pressure in elite sport, regardless of who you play for and regardless of what you want to achieve,” she said.

“But, for me, first and foremost I just want to get out on the pitch and enjoy myself. For such a long time I've been part of a club where the expectation is to win trophies because of the personnel that you have in your team.

“Now I want to be in a place where I come into work every day with a smile and be happy. When I signed I Facetimed Maria Thorisdottir, who I played with at Chelsea, and she was nearly crying on the phone with me!

“So I think she's quite happy that I'm here and to have that reaction from someone who you're going to come into the building with every day just makes me smile.

“I want to be in a place where I feel valued and be happy and smiling. Performances on the pitch will come as a result of that.”