Chloe Kelly, the England Lioness and Arsenal forward, has become a household name in women’s football, celebrated for her record-breaking penalty shots and game-changing performances in Euro 2022 and Euro 2025.
But with a quintessentially Irish surname like “Kelly,” fans often ask, “Is Chloe Kelly Irish?” Born in London, Kelly’s heritage has sparked curiosity, especially given her meteoric rise in the Women’s Super League and her clutch performances for England.
With a Chloe Kelly penalty shot clocked at an astonishing 110 km/h, her skill has drawn comparisons to the Premier League’s hardest hitters. This 3000-word blog dives into her Chloe Kelly nationality, family background, Chloe Kelly salary, and the speed of her iconic penalties, addressing key questions with depth and clarity.
For more on Irish connections in celebrity culture, check out Billie Eilish’s Irish heritage.
Chloe Kelly: The Lioness with a Celtic Name
Chloe Maggie Kelly, born January 15, 1998, is a star forward for Arsenal and the England national team, known for her Chloe Kelly speed and precision on the pitch. Her surname, Kelly, is one of Ireland’s most common, derived from the Gaelic “Ó Ceallaigh,” meaning “descendant of Ceallach” (a name tied to “war” or “strife”).
This has fueled speculation about her heritage, especially after her heroics in the Chloe Kelly Euro 2025 final, where her penalty secured England’s second European title. Kelly’s journey began in West London’s Hanwell, where she played football with her five brothers in Windmill Park’s cages, a site now honored with a plaque for her achievements.
Her career highlights include scoring the winning goal in Euro 2022 and a record-breaking Chloe Kelly penalty shot against Nigeria in 2023.
But does her Irish surname mean she’s Irish? Let’s explore her Chloe Kelly nationality, Chloe Kelly parents, and more to unravel this mystery.
FAQs About Chloe Kelly’s Heritage and Career
What nationality is Chloe Kelly?
Chloe Kelly is English, born in London on January 15, 1998, making her Chloe Kelly nationality British. She was raised in the west London district of Hanwell and has represented England at every level, from U17 to the senior national team, amassing 59 caps by 2025.
Her surname, Kelly, is strongly associated with Irish heritage, as it’s a common Gaelic surname, but there’s no public evidence confirming Irish ancestry in her immediate family. Kelly’s identity is firmly tied to England, as seen in her pivotal roles in Euro 2022 and Chloe Kelly Euro 2025, where she scored the winning penalty against Spain.
Her connection to Ireland appears to be limited to her surname, unlike celebrities like Billie Eilish, whose Irish roots are well-documented in Billie Eilish’s Irish heritage. Kelly’s English pride shines through in her celebrations, like her iconic shirt-twirling after the Euro 2022 final, cementing her as a Lioness legend.
Who are the parents of Chloe Kelly?
Chloe Kelly was born to Chloe Kelly parents Jane and Noel Kelly, who raised her in Hanwell, West London, alongside her six siblings—five brothers and one sister. Little public information exists about Jane and Noel’s backgrounds, including whether they have Irish ancestry, despite the Irish surname Kelly.
Chloe has credited her family, particularly her brothers, for shaping her competitive spirit, as they played football together in local cages. In a 2025 BBC Sport interview, she spoke emotionally about seeing her family after the Euro 2025 final, saying, “There were a lot of tears… they were the people that came me through those dark moments.”
Her parents’ support was crucial during her early career, with Chloe traveling two hours by train to train with Arsenal’s Centre of Excellence as a teenager.
While their heritage isn’t explicitly documented, the Kelly surname suggests possible Irish roots, though not as clear as, say, Billie Eilish’s Cork lineage, explored in Billie Eilish’s Irish heritage.
How much does Chloe Kelly get paid?
Exact figures for Chloe Kelly salary are not publicly disclosed, as women’s football contracts are less transparent than men’s. However, as a star forward for Arsenal in the Women’s Super League (WSL) and a key player for England, estimates suggest she earns between £60,000 and £100,000 annually, based on industry standards for top WSL players.
This includes her club salary, match bonuses, and sponsorships, such as her deals with brands like Puma. Her marketability soared after her Chloe Kelly Euro 2025 heroics, with her Instagram following jumping from 75,000 to 1.2 million, making her the most-followed Lioness.
Additional income may come from her role managing a team in the upcoming Baller League UK, a six-a-side football league. While her earnings pale compared to male Premier League stars, her impact, like her record-breaking Chloe Kelly penalty shot, is priceless. For context on celebrity earnings, see Billie Eilish’s net worth.
How fast is Chloe Kelly’s penalty shot?
Chloe Kelly’s penalty shots are legendary for their speed, with her Chloe Kelly penalty shot against Nigeria in the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup clocked at 110.79 km/h (69 mph), the fastest shot of the tournament.
This surpassed the most powerful Premier League goal of the 2022-23 season by West Ham’s Saïd Benrahma (107.2 km/h). Her Euro 2025 penalty against Spain was equally impressive, recorded at 110 km/h, outpacing Alexander Isak’s 109 km/h strike in the 2024-25 Premier League season.
Kelly’s unique “hop, skip, and thwack” technique, described by biomechanics experts in The Guardian’s analysis, generates immense power through a short, bouncy run-up and a leaned stance, ensuring precision and force. Her former teacher, Peter Heffernan, told The Evening Standard, “She’s as hard as nails in these situations,” highlighting her mental strength.
This speed has sparked debate, with some questioning the comparison to men’s football, but Kelly’s strikes are undeniably iconic.
Chloe Kelly’s Rise to Stardom
Chloe Kelly’s journey from Hanwell’s football cages to global stardom is a testament to her talent and resilience. Starting at Queens Park Rangers before joining Arsenal’s Centre of Excellence at age 12, she later played for Everton and Manchester City, where she won the 2019-20 FA Cup and 2021-22 League Cup.
Her move to Arsenal in 2024 cemented her as a Chloe Kelly Arsenal star, culminating in a 2024-25 UEFA Champions League title. Her clutch performances, like the winning goal in Euro 2022 and penalties in the 2023 Finalissima and Chloe Kelly Euro 2025, earned her the Golden Boot in the 2023 Arnold Clark Cup.
Her penalty technique, praised by experts like Geir Jordet in The Daily Mail, combines power and precision, making her a penalty specialist.
Her cultural impact, from empowering women with her Euro 2022 celebration to her 1.2 million Instagram followers, mirrors the influence of stars like Billie Eilish, as explored in Billie Eilish’s Irish heritage.
Is There an Irish Connection?
While the question “Is Chloe Kelly Irish” persists due to her surname, no definitive evidence confirms Irish ancestry in her immediate family. The Kelly surname is deeply Irish, linked to clans in Galway and Roscommon, but Chloe’s upbringing in London and her English national team allegiance suggest her identity is rooted in England.
Her family’s support, led by Chloe Kelly parents Jane and Noel, focused on her footballing passion rather than cultural heritage. Unlike Billie Eilish, whose Irish roots are traced to County Cork, Chloe’s connection to Ireland remains speculative, based solely on her surname.
Still, her impact on women’s football resonates globally, including in Ireland, where the “Lioness effect” has doubled girls’ participation in the sport, as noted in The Guardian’s report. For more on Irish cultural connections, visit Billie Eilish’s Irish heritage.
Conclusion: Chloe Kelly’s Legacy and the Irish Question
The query “Is Chloe Kelly Irish” reflects fans’ fascination with her heritage, driven by her Gaelic surname and stellar career. While her Chloe Kelly nationality is English, and her Chloe Kelly parents Jane and Noel have no confirmed Irish ties, the possibility of distant ancestry lingers. Her Chloe Kelly salary reflects her status as a top WSL player, and her Chloe Kelly penalty shot—clocked at 110 km/h—has redefined power in football. From her Euro 2022 shirt-twirl to her Chloe Kelly Euro 2025 heroics, Kelly is a trailblazer, inspiring a new generation. Her story, like that of other cultural icons, connects to Ireland’s global influence, as seen in Billie Eilish’s Irish heritage. Whether or not she’s Irish, Chloe Kelly’s legacy is universal, proving that talent transcends borders.
About the Author
