Sam Kerr to leave Chelsea after trophy-laden tenure with WSL powerhouses | OneFootball

Chelsea have announced that Australian international Sam Kerr will depart the club at the end of the season, bringing to an end a heavily successful six-and-a-half years.

Kerr joined Chelsea in January 2020 following a successful spell at Chicago Red Stars in the National Women’s Soccer League, where the forward became the first player to receive the league’s Player of the Season award twice.

During her time in west London, the 32-year-old has won almost everything there is to win. She will depart the club having won five WSL titles, three FA Cups and League Cups, as well as the Community Shield.

The Matildas’ captain currently sits second in Chelsea’s all-time scoring charts. With 115 goals in just 177 appearances for the Blues, Kerr will hope to surpass her former creative partner, Fran Kirby, who sits top with just one more goal to her name.

“When I reflect on my Chelsea career and doing it for the last time [against Manchester United this Saturday], I just feel happy,” said Kerr to Chelsea FC.

“Happy that it happened, and I feel so grateful to have played for this club for six years and won as many trophies as we could.”

Sam Kerr as a consistent scorer

Throughout her six-and-a-half year stay, the striker has proved a consistent goal threat under both Emma Hayes and Sonia Bompastor.

After a disrupted first season due to the Covid-19 pandemic, Kerr got off to a flying start in her second term. She was the club’s top scorer in successive 2020/21 and 2021/22 seasons.

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Alongside this, she also took home the WSL’s Golden Boot for her efforts as her goals proved decisive in helping the club claim another two league titles.

In the following season, Kerr’s tremendous goalscoring form continued. She netted 29 goals in 38 games as the club went on to secure a domestic double. She was awarded for her performances with the club’s Player of the Season award, while also winning WSL Player of the Year and FWA’s Women’s Footballer of the Year.

Sam Kerr’s return from injury

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In October 2023, Kerr finished second in the Ballon d’Or awards behind Aitana Bonmatí. However, her world was turned upside down when just three months later she sustained a knee injury and was sidelined for 20 months.

Like many great winners, she didn’t let the injury define her, but pushed the limits to show the same level of goalscoring following her return.

The Australian international made her long awaited return in September 2025 as a second half substitute against Aston Villa. Fans didn’t have to wait long before Kerr netted her 100th goal for the Blues with a late goal to secure a 3-1 victory.

On her first start back, she bagged two goals in a thumping 6-0 victory against St. Polten in the UEFA Women’s Champions League. And this season has been no different.

Having made 29 appearances, Kerr has 16 goals to her name, and made history when she netted against Leicester City earlier this month. Her goal against the Foxes placed Kerr as the Blues’ all-time WSL top scorer.

“Obviously there’s a little bit of sadness leaving Chelsea and leaving the club that I’ve spent so long at, leaving my teammates, leaving the fans,” she continued.

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“The only thing that comes to my mind is just remembering all the happy moments and the fun moments and just feeling really proud.”

Kerr will no doubt have a big send-off as the Blues conclude their 2025/26 season against Manchester United this Saturday. Kick-off will be at 1pm (BST) and fans will be able to stream the match and all the final day action live on Sky Sports.

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