Chelsea have paid a British record fee for the England international Fran Kirby.

The 22-year-old Kirby was one of the stars of England’s Women’s World Cup campaign and moves from Reading, where she has played since she was eight.

Reading said the undisclosed fee would allow them to keep their team “progressing in their current manner”.

“It goes without saying that I’m very excited about moving to Chelsea and I can’t wait to get started at a new club,” Kirby said. “But at the same time I am leaving behind so many memories at Reading.

“When I joined the club aged eight I could never have imagined where it would take me. To have success with all my team-mates at Reading, played for England in the World Cup and now make this move, it’s all a little bit surreal, to be honest.”

Kirby has signed a three-and-a-half-year contract and will be available to face Bristol Academy this weekend.