SAM KERR JOINS GOTHAM FC AFTER LEAVING CHELSEA

Sam Kerr has signed a four-year contract with Gotham FC in the National Women's Football league (NWSL), the club announced on Monday. The Australia striker departed Chelsea in May following the expiry of her contract. Kerr scored 116 goals in 158 appearances for Chelsea and netted the winning goal in her final home match against Manchester United. She joins Gotham FC, based in New Jersey and New York, where she previously played from 2015 to 2017 when the club was known as Sky Blue FC.

Kerr joined Chelsea in January 2020 and helped the club win five Women's Super League titles, three FA Cups, three League Cups and the Community Shield. She finished level with Fran Kirby on Chelsea's all-competitions top scorers list for the WSL era. An ACL injury in January 2024 sidelined Kerr for more than 18 months, and she only returned to full fitness in the second half of the current season after Chelsea's title challenge had faltered. According to the NWSL's historical records, Kerr remains the league's all-time leading goalscorer despite leaving the USA six years ago.

Kerr said of her return: "This club was an important part of my journey, and to come back at this moment, with everything Gotham has built, is really special." She added that she looked forward to helping the team compete for trophies. The 32-year-old won the NWSL Golden Boot three years in succession, with her highest single-season tally of 18 goals until Temwa Chawinga scored 21 in 2024. In 2023, Kerr finished second in Ballon d'Or voting after scoring 29 goals in 38 appearances.