Sam Kerr Extends Chelsea Contract Until 2026
In a significant move for Chelsea Women’s Football Club, star striker Sam Kerr has signed a contract extension that will keep her at the club until 2026. The Australia international’s previous deal was set to expire this summer, sparking speculation about her future, but she has now committed her long-term future to the west London side.
The news will be a welcome boost for new manager Sonia Bompastor, who is taking over from the outgoing Emma Hayes, who has departed to take up the role of USA national team coach. There were concerns that the departure of the popular Hayes could lead to an exodus of players, but aside from Fran Kirby, Maren Mjelde, and Ann-Katrin Berger, the core of the squad has been retained.
Kerr expressed her delight at the extension, stating, “> It’s really exciting and a very proud moment for me. Having the opportunity to stay at a club like Chelsea means a lot to me. I’m really excited to continue to push and to try to win trophies.”
The 30-year-old forward is currently recovering from an ACL injury sustained in January during Chelsea’s warm-weather training camp in Morocco, which ruled her out for the rest of the domestic season and the Paris Olympics. However, the club’s general manager, Paul Green, is confident that Kerr will return to action next season, saying, “> Sam is a leader and one of the world’s best strikers and goalscorers. She has been very important to our success, and we look forward to welcoming her back from injury next season.”
Since joining Chelsea in 2018, Kerr has been a pivotal figure in the team’s success, winning a total of 10 trophies, including 5 league titles, 3 FA Cups, and 2 League Cups. She has also been a two-time recipient of the Golden Boot award and finished as the runner-up for the Ballon d’Or in 2022, as well as being ranked among the top 100 female footballers in the world by The Guardian in both 2021 and 2022.
However, Kerr is currently facing charges of “intentionally causing racially aggravated harassment, alarm or distress to a police officer” following an incident in London in January 2023. The player denies the charges, and a trial is scheduled to take place in February 2025.
Despite this off-field issue, the news of Kerr’s contract extension will be a major boost for Chelsea as they look to defend their domestic titles and make a strong push in the UEFA Women’s Champions League in the upcoming seasons.
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