Fran Kirby's international career epitomised what resilience, combined with serious talent, can accomplish but the time is right to retire, writes Emma Sanders.

In an exclusive interview with ESPN, Fran Kirby said she has retired from international football in order to "prolong" her own career.

The 31-year-old Kirby, who played 77 games for England and scored 19 goals, stepped down from national team duty less than a week after goalkeeper Mary Earps did the same. Kirby made her senior debut in August 2014 and represented England at four major tournaments, as well as featuring for Team GB at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021.