Matildas captain Sam Kerr has announced she will leave Chelsea Football Club at the end of the season, bringing an end to her six-and-a-half-year stint with the English club.
Chelsea confirmed the 32-year-old striker would depart when her contract expires, with the Women’s Super League match against Manchester United Women to be her final game for the club.
“When I reflect on my Chelsea career and doing it for the last time [against Manchester United this Saturday], I just feel happy,” Kerr said.
“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.”
Widely regarded as one of Australia’s greatest footballers, Kerr scored 115 goals during her time at Chelsea and became one of the biggest names in women’s football internationally.
She helped the club win five Women’s Super League titles, three FA Cups, three League Cups and the Community Shield during a dominant period in English football.
Kerr also won the league’s Golden Boot award twice and finished runner-up in the 2023 Ballon d’Or, awarded to the world’s best female player.
In a farewell video shared with supporters, Kerr said: “Hi Chelsea fans, unfortunately this is for real this time.
“I wanted you to hear it from me. This Saturday will be my final game for Chelsea. I definitely don’t want this to be a sad conversation.
“I want to remember all the good times we’ve had together. It’s been an absolute honour to represent you guys the last six and a half years and I’ve had the best memories.
“Hopefully we can make one more amazing memory on Saturday. But I just wanted you to hear it first from me, that unfortunately, I will be leaving the club.”
Chelsea thanked Kerr for her contribution both on and off the field.
“We thank Sam for her incredible contribution to our success on the pitch and sustained growth off it,” the club said in a statement.
“We wish her all the best in the next chapter of her career.”
Kerr’s departure follows a challenging period in her career after she suffered a serious knee ligament injury in January 2024, sidelining her for 20 months.
Despite the setback, she returned this season and scored her 100th goal for Chelsea. She has scored 16 goals in 29 appearances this season and sits one goal behind Chelsea’s all-time leading scorer, Fran Kirby.
Kerr became a household name in Australia during the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup, where she captained the Australia women’s national soccer team to a historic semi-final appearance.
The Matildas’ run sparked a surge in interest in women’s football across Australia, particularly among young girls and female players.
Earlier this year, Kerr married her partner, retired United States footballer Kristie Mewis, in Western Australia’s Swan Valley region.
Speculation has grown over where Kerr may play next, with reports linking her to clubs in the United States’ National Women’s Soccer League. Chelsea did not provide details about her future plans.
Images: Instagram
