Chelsea and England striker Fran Kirby named inaugural FWA Women's Footballer of the Year

The 24-year-old has scored 22 goals for the Women's Super League leaders across all competitions this season

Fran Kirby is the inaugural winner of the award (Getty)

Chelsea and England striker Fran Kirby has won the inaugural Football Writers' Association Women's Footballer of the Year award.

The 24-year-old has scored 22 goals for the Women's Super League leaders across all competitions this season.

Lirby was the overwhelming choice securing more than 50 per cent of the vote after a shortlist was drawn up with Euro 2017 Golden Boot winner Jodie Taylor finishing second.

Lyon's Lucy Bronze, Izzy Christiansen of Manchester City and Arsenal's Jordan Nobbs made it up the rest of list.

"I was really proud to be nominated in the first place but to actually win is a real honour. To be the first recipient of this honour and award is so special."

The accolade follows two days after Kirby won the Professional Footballers' Association's Women's Player of the Year award.

As well as their WSL title pursuit, Chelsea are chasing silverware in the Women's FA Cup and face Arsenal in the final of that competition on May 5.

They will also be hoping to turn around a 3-1 deficit when they play Wolfsburg in Germany on Sunday in the second leg of their Champions League semi-final.