Australian striker Sam Kerr is reportedly preparing for a return to the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL). Following six highly successful seasons with Chelsea, where she lifted five Women's Super League trophies and claimed two Golden Boot awards, the Australia international is said to have agreed to rejoin Gotham FC. Kerr previously made her mark in the NWSL with Sky Blue FC, Chicago Red Stars, and Western New York Flash, departing as the league’s all-time top scorer.
A new chapter for Sam Kerr
According to reports from The Athletic, citing sources familiar with the situation, Kerr is set to make a comeback to the NWSL by signing with Gotham FC. After an illustrious six-year spell at Chelsea, during which she captured two Golden Boots and five league titles, the 32-year-old forward appears ready to return to the United States.
Kerr is no stranger to American football. The forward began her professional career in the U.S. with the Western New York Flash in 2013 before moving on to Sky Blue FC, which later rebranded as Gotham FC. Before leaving the NWSL, she completed a prolific stint with the Chicago Red Stars, finishing as the league’s leading scorer.
Six remarkable years with Chelsea
After six successful seasons with Chelsea, Kerr made her final appearance for the club in May. In that farewell match, she netted the decisive goal in a 1-0 victory over Manchester United. Her tenure with the Blues concluded with an impressive tally of 116 goals.
During her time in London, Kerr helped Chelsea secure five Women's Super League crowns and six domestic cup titles, cementing her status as one of the most dominant forwards in the game.
Kerr’s NWSL legacy
Despite leaving the NWSL in 2019, Kerr still holds the record as the league’s all-time leading scorer in regular-season play with 77 goals. During her final season with the Chicago Red Stars, she broke her own single-season scoring record by netting 18 goals in 21 matches. The year before, she scored 16 goals, underlining her consistency as a prolific finisher.
Her time with Sky Blue FC, now known as Gotham FC, was especially noteworthy. Kerr earned both the NWSL Golden Boot and MVP honours in 2017 after scoring 17 goals in 22 appearances. Should she officially return to Gotham FC, however, she will not qualify for the league’s High Impact Player (HIP) Rule.
The reason for her ineligibility stems from her recent injuries, particularly an ACL injury that kept her sidelined and prevented her from achieving major accolades in recent seasons — a key requirement for HIP consideration.
Meanwhile, Gotham FC recently secured $350,000 in expansion allocation funds from Boston Legacy as part of the transfer deal involving defender Lilly Reale. The club will be able to utilise this allocation money through 2027.
What lies ahead?
Currently a free agent, Kerr’s next move has been a topic of much speculation as her contract with Chelsea neared its end. Gotham FC, presently fifth in the NWSL standings, is viewed as a strong contender for her signature, with the league seen as the most likely next destination for the Australian forward.
