ENGLAND MIDFIELDER KIRBY ANNOUNCES INTERNATIONAL RETIREMENT – Decision has been made before the Euros
England women’s midfielder Fran Kirby, who earned 77 caps for the Lionesses, announced her retirement from international football on Tuesday, June 3rd, a month before the European Championship.
Best known for her role in England’s historic Euro 2022 triumph, the 31-year-old started all six games in the tournament, scoring twice and registering three assists.
Kirby’s statement posted on social media stated that…”After being in the England team since the age of 21, it’s time to close that chapter of my life. I never wanted this day to come, but I cannot tell you how proud I am that it happened.”
Kirby joined the national team at the age of 21, and her last appearance came as a second-half substitute in last week’s 6-0 win over Portugal. She was not included in the squad for Tuesday’s 2-1 loss against Spain.
Having struggled with injury and illness throughout her career, she missed the 2023 Women’s World Cup due to a knee injury that required surgery.
