'What a coup': Matildas forward Sam Kerr signs with European giant
Sam Kerr says a desire to play in the world's best women's football league led to her signing a lucrative deal with English heavyweights Chelsea.
The Matildas captain has ended weeks of speculation about her club future, announcing on Wednesday she's joining Chelsea for the next two-and-a-half years.
The 26-year-old striker is taking a three-week holiday before linking with Chelsea for the second half of the English Women's Super League (WSL) season.
'The WSL is the best league in Europe," Kerr said in a statement.
"I want team success and I don't want it to come easy.
"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."
Kerr has become the face of Australian women's soccer since debuting with the Matildas at the age of 15.
The dynamo played a key role in Australia's sweep of the just-completed two-game friendly series against Chile - she scored a brace in a 2-1 win in game one in Sydney last Saturday, and set-up the match-winner in a 1-0 triumph in Adelaide on Tuesday night.
Fans - especially those who like to wear the blue colours of Chelsea - were full of excitement after Kerr's signing was made official.
What a move for Sam Kerr! Nice work - https://t.co/bs5M4JyyKu
— Blair Garton (@Lambo_Blair) November 13, 2019
EXCITING TIMES FOR THE #FAWSL@TheMatildas international and captain, Sam Kerr, has signed with Chelsea on a two and half year deal.
As of the 2018 season,she is the all-time leading scorer both in the #NWSL and the #WLeague. https://t.co/pkwoMRkd2K— brighten (@u_bhekani) November 13, 2019
Sam Kerr now proper Chels https://t.co/KSlNJyctZ1
— Ilario Finis (@ilariofinis) November 13, 2019
Well. Sam Kerr to Chelsea! I have a goalmachine in my team who also is on her way to FAWSL. 😎
— Sam Karami (@samkarami11) November 13, 2019
What an incredible signing. A huge statement of intent from Chelsea and also one that says the WSL is now able to compete for genuine world class talent. #SamKerr https://t.co/loIml2R5VW
— Lee Witney (@LeeWitney24) November 13, 2019
Kerr signs two-year deal, wears the #20 shirt and starts playing in January.
What a coup for Chelsea Women. A real statement of intent from the WSL league leaders. She is regarded as one of the best strikers in the world #SamKerr— Anne-Marie Batson (@AnnemarieBatson) November 13, 2019
We just signed Sam Kerr. I'm super excited
— Idunnu salu (@mamasalz1) November 13, 2019
Sam Kerr is a Blue. #CFCW
— Elon Musk (@__TheDaniel) November 13, 2019
Sam Kerr, Welcome to the Mighty Chelsea 💙 pic.twitter.com/aXcXU5udgk
— Mr. Waldo (@waldinihoo) November 13, 2019
Kerr had been weighing up her club future since opting against returning to Australia's domestic W-League and Perth Glory.
‘A fantastic team player’
She had been splitting her time each year between the Glory from October to April, then the Chicago Red Stars in the United States' National Women's Soccer League from April to September.
After Tuesday night's victory in Adelaide, Kerr conceded the gruelling schedule had led to near-exhaustion.
She outlined her plans for a three-week holiday, initially in Perth to visit family and then to Bali.
"I'm really looking forward to a break," she said post-game.
"It's the first time ever I have had scheduled time off where I can go on a holiday and take care of myself.
Back-to-back wins for the Matildas but it wasn't Sam Kerr's night, who had a penalty saved and hit the crossbar 😅
FT: Australia 1 - 0 Chile. #OptusSport #WeAreMatildas #AUSvCHI pic.twitter.com/LVAGl7sjIX— Optus Sport (@OptusSport) November 12, 2019
"It's my body - obviously I have been going back and forth (between Australia and the US) - but also my mind. I have been going non-stop.
"And the Matildas have gained a whole lot of exposure in the last few years so our lives have changed dramatically.
"It will just be nice to turn off from football and enjoy myself."
Chelsea's manager Emma Hayes hailed the signing of Kerr for her club.
"She's a player that can make things happen but she's also a fantastic team player," Hayes said in a statement.
'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."
