Chelsea striker Sam Kerr will leave the club at the end of the season when her contract expires, bringing an end to one of the most successful eras in Women’s Super League history.
The Australian forward, Chelsea’s all-time leading scorer in the WSL, will play her final match for the Blues at Stamford Bridge against Manchester United on Saturday.
Kerr departs after an extraordinary six-year spell in west London, having scored 115 goals in 157 appearances since joining Chelsea in November 2019.
During her time at the club, the 32-year-old helped Chelsea win five Women’s Super League titles, three FA Cups, three League Cups and the Community Shield, cementing her place as one of the greatest players in the club’s history.
“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.”
Kerr quickly established herself as one of the most dominant forwards in world football after arriving in England in what was considered one of the biggest signings in women’s football at the time.
Known globally for her explosive pace, clinical finishing and trademark backflip celebrations, Kerr became the focal point of Chelsea’s dominance under former manager Emma Hayes.
She won the WSL Golden Boot twice and was named WSL Player of the Season in 2022. Kerr also claimed the PFA Fans’ Player of the Year award in both 2021 and 2022.
Her partnership with Chelsea icon Fran Kirby became one of the most feared attacking combinations in the league, helping the Blues dominate English women’s football for much of the past decade.
Kerr heads into her farewell appearance just one goal shy of matching Kirby’s all-time Chelsea scoring record of 116 goals.
Kerr’s Chelsea career suffered a major setback in January 2024 when she sustained an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury during the club’s winter training camp.
The injury kept her sidelined for 20 months, forcing Chelsea to adapt without their star striker for an extended period.
Despite the setback, Kerr signed a two-year contract extension in June 2024 and made her long-awaited return in September 2025, scoring in a 3-1 victory over Aston Villa after 637 days away from competitive action.
She has since reminded fans of her world-class quality, scoring 16 goals in 29 appearances this season, including a record-breaking 64th WSL goal for Chelsea against Leicester City.
Her recent form — six goals in her last six matches across all competitions — highlighted why she remains one of the best strikers in women’s football.
Chelsea manager Sonia Bompastor has already confirmed that signing a new number nine is one of the club’s main priorities heading into the summer transfer window.
Manchester City star Khadija Shaw is reportedly among Chelsea’s top targets, although replacing Kerr’s impact both on and off the pitch will be an enormous challenge.
In a statement, Chelsea thanked Kerr for her contribution to the club’s success.
“We thank Sam for her incredible contribution to our success on the pitch and sustained growth off it,” the club said.
“We wish her all the best in the next chapter of her career.”
Kerr’s next destination remains unclear, although reports have linked her with a return to the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) in the United States.
Australian broadcaster 10 News claimed in April that Kerr had agreed a move to Denver Summit, but the striker later denied the reports on social media.
Wherever she goes next, Kerr leaves Chelsea as one of the most influential and decorated players in the club’s history.
