Confirmed: Kerr signs with Chelsea

Westfield Matildas captain Sam Kerr has confirmed her next career move, announcing she will join English giants Chelsea.

Kerr's move was revealed on Wednesday night, joining the Blues on a two-and-a-half year deal.

One of the best players in women’s football, Kerr signature had been much sought-after from some of Europe’s biggest clubs, including six-time Champions League winners Lyon.

But the 26-year-old has decided to move to London to link with the Blues.

"The WSL is the best league in Europe. I want team success and I don’t want it to come easy," said Kerr, who will wear the No.20 jersey for the Blues said.

"I feel Chelsea have been building something special over the years and I want to be a part of that – I want to lift some trophies."

She will join up with the Blues when the mid-season transfer window opens, linking up with the squad for the second half of the 2019/20 Barclays Women’s Super League season.

Kerr had been playing constantly for the last number of years, rotating between Perth Glory in the Westfield W-League, as well as the NWSL with stints at Sky Blue FC and most recently Chicago Red Stars.

The Perth-born attacker was recently named the NWSL’s Most Valuable Player in 2019 after scoring a record 19 goals in 23 games to secure a third-consecutive golden boot.

She is the all-time leading goalscorer in the Westfield W-League with 70 goals and has netted a further 69 in the USA.

Kerr played a key role in Australia’s clean sweep of Chile over the last week, scoring both goals in the 2-1 win in Sydney on Saturday before setting up Emily Gielnik’s winner on Tuesday night.

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She will join a Blues team that is currently top of the Women’s Super League in England, undefeated from the opening five games of the new season.

"Sam has proved time and time again in the NWSL that she is a prolific goalscorer. She’s won the golden boot many times and she’s a player that can make things happen, but she’s also a fantastic team player," Chelsea coach Emma Hayes said.

"The fact she chose Chelsea when she could have gone to any club in the world is a testament to the players and the staff here because she saw this is the best place for her to grow and take the next step in her career.

"That’s a wonderful compliment to us all."

While it’s her first time playing club football in Europe, there are a few familiar faces in the Chelsea squad.

Korea Republic star Ji So-yun, who scored against the Westfield Matildas at the Cup of Nations earlier this year, is a part of the star-studded side.

There is also a trio of Norwegian players - Maria Thorisdottir, Guro Reiten and Maren Mielde – who were part of the side that eliminated Australia from this year’s FIFA Women’s World Cup.

England international Fran Kirby is also one of Chelsea’s attacking stars and is likely to be part of a lethal frontline with Kerr and Bethany England.

You can watch Kerr play for Chelsea on Optus Sport, who have the rights to show matches from England’s Women’s Super League.

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