NWSL all-time record goalscorer Sam Kerr confirms league return by joining Gotham

Sam Kerr is joining Gotham FC in the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) after spending the past six and a half years with Chelsea.

Gotham announced on Monday they had signed the striker to a deal through 2030. The move marks a return to the NWSL for Kerr, who played for Sky Blue – which later became Gotham – from 2015-17.

The 32-year-old Australian also played for the Chicago Red Stars before moving to Chelsea in November 2019. Despite being away for so long, Kerr remains the NWSL’s top regular-season scorer with 77 goals, and led the league in scoring for three successive seasons from 2017-19. She won the league’s MVP awards in 2017 and 2019.

Kerr is the all-time leading scorer for Australia among men or women with 75 goals, surpassing the men’s leader Tim Cahill with 51. She captained the Matildas to the semi-finals of the 2023 Women’s World Cup, which they co-hosted with New Zealand.

“I’m incredibly excited to return to Gotham FC and to this city,” Kerr said in a statement. “This club was an important part of my journey, and to come back at this moment, with everything Gotham has built, is really special. The ambition here is clear, and I’m looking forward to helping this team compete for trophies and create more history.”

Sam Kerr scored the last goal in all three of the FA Cup finals she won in her time at Chelsea. Photograph: Eddie Keogh/The FA/Getty Images

Kerr is widely considered one of the best strikers in the world. She is the only player to have won a Golden Boot in three leagues.

“Sam is one of the defining players of her generation and a game-changing talent who has consistently delivered at the highest levels of world football,” said Yael Averbuch West, Gotham FC’s president of soccer operations.

“Her winning mentality, relentless competitiveness and ability to decide matches in an instant make her one of the most impactful players in the game. Bringing Sam back to Gotham is a landmark moment for our club, and we couldn’t be more excited.”

Gotham won the league title last year and in 2023. The team’s roster already includes the German goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger, the England defender Jess Carter (who both played with Kerr at Chelsea), striker Esther González who won the 2023 World Cup with Spain, andthe USA’s World Cup and Olympic gold-winning midfielder Rose Lavelle.

Kerr came back from 20 months out following an anterior cruciate ligament injury to score 17 goals last season for Chelsea. She scored 65 goals in the Women’s Super League and won the league’s Golden Boot twice. She scored 116 goals in all competitions, tying Chelsea’s all-time leading scorer Fran Kirby, and won five consecutive WSL titles, three consecutive FA Cups and three League Cups.

She also played professionally in the W League in Australia.