Fran Kirby and Lia Walti are adapting their competitive mindsets after moving from Women's Super League superclubs to Brighton & Hove Albion Women. The pair, who joined from Chelsea and Arsenal respectively, are setting the standard for a squad aiming to climb the standings.
How do players adapt after leaving superclubs?
Fran Kirby left Chelsea after nine years and seven WSL titles to join Brighton. In her debut season with the Seagulls, the team finished fifth in the WSL, a significant 32 points behind the champions, her former club Chelsea. This transition is a common challenge for elite players. Lia Walti, who joined Brighton in July after a season at Juventus, is the latest high-profile name to make such a move. The 33-year-old Swiss international previously spent eighteen months at Aston Villa after leaving Arsenal.
Walti's mentality remains unchanged despite the shift. "I’ve been a competitor my whole life, no matter what I do, and I’m not going to lose that just because I’m maybe not playing for a team like Arsenal, who are competing for every single trophy every year," Walti told The Athletic. This drive is echoed by other veterans in new environments. Nikita Parris, a 32-year-old with two top-tier titles and a Champions League to her name, is now a teammate of Alexia Putellas at London City Lionesses. Parris stated her personal demands do not falter regardless of the team.
What did Fran Kirby tell her new teammates?
Kirby has been direct about her expectations since arriving at Brighton. She gave a clear message to new signing Lia Walti about the standards required. "Just watch out, I’m gonna be demanding and harsh sometimes," Kirby said. This attitude is designed to push the team forward. Defender Caitlin Hayes praised Kirby's leadership, telling The Athletic that if you use the analogy of a burning building, Kirby is the one you want to follow.
The club's long-term vision includes a major infrastructure project. Brighton should have opened Europe’s first purpose-built women’s football stadium by 2030. The stadium is expected to cost up to £80million ($108m), signaling a serious commitment to the women's game. You can view the current squad building towards that future on our squad page.
Why do experienced players seek new challenges?
For many players, a move is about rediscovering their love for the game. Millie Turner left Manchester United for Birmingham City a week after Walti joined Brighton. Turner had been at United for eight seasons and won the 2023-24 FA Cup with them. She explained the move was an important time for her to have a new challenge, enjoy playing football again and feel valued in the environment again.
These stories highlight a trend of experienced winners bringing their mentality to projects in development. Alexia Putellas, who made more than 500 appearances and helped win 36 trophies at Barcelona before moving to London City, is another prime example. The Spanish star has 147 international caps. Her new club is in its second WSL season and is part of Michele Kang's multi-club network, which also includes OL Lyon and Washington Spirit.
Brighton will rely on the experience of players like Kirby and Walti to improve their results. The team's performance data from last season is available on our stats page. Their next fixture is a key opportunity to build momentum in the league campaign.
