Fran Kirby ready for England action at Women’s Euros and midfielder ends eight-year stay with Chelsea

Fran Kirby has declared herself ready to take part in this summer’s UEFA Women’s Euros.

Chelsea’s attacking midfielder was named in England head coach Sarina Wiegman’s provisional 28-player squad on Tuesday.

That squad will be whittled down to 23 by mid-June when England start their pre-tournament fixtures.

Kirby, 28 has been suffering with a fatigue-like illness for the past couple of months but made the bench for the Blues’ 3-2 FA Cup final triumph against Manchester City at Wembley on Sunday.

She told the South London Press: “I’m good. I’m training every day and building my fitness up. I don’t feel out of place in training, so I’m ready to go.”

Chelsea also have Millie Bright, Niamh Charles, Jess Carter and Beth England in the squad.

Ji So-Yun, 31, has ended her eight-year stay at Chelsea and will return to her native South Korea.

She said: “ I have been at Chelsea a long time. It’s very hard to decide to leave the club. But I have finished on a high. It was my decision. They wanted me to stay. We had been talking since last year. They said one more season. But this is the right time.

“One day, if I have a chance to come back, I want to come back to Chelsea.

“The highlight of my career was in 2015 when I lifted the FA Cup for the first time, and last week, when we won the league. I won 13 trophies in eight years, it’s fantastic.

“In those eight years we have developed a lot, we have grown so much as a team. I’m still able to perform at a high level. I’ve never played in Korea before.

“I want to say to the fans that it has been fantastic over the eight years, I’m going to miss them a lot. Thank you for supporting me. I hope that they will still support me wherever I go.”

Striker Beth England, 27, admitted it was not her best season at Chelsea but she contributed to the success of the league and cup double.

She said: “At the start I wasn’t playing much, but when I did I picked up an injury. I was able to bounce back in the right way and get more game time, and score goals. I know that I have helped this team to get into this position. I’m proud of that.

“It was one of those seasons where you just grind it out and I’m pleased we have ended it with two trophies.”

Chelsea men end their league season at home to Watford on Sunday having secured Champions League football again by finishing in the top four of the Premier League.