Sam Kerr is making her way back to the National Women’s Soccer League, rejoining the team where she once made her mark.
Gotham FC, the reigning NWSL champions, announced on Monday that they have signed the 32-year-old forward to a contract running through the 2030 season. Kerr became a free agent after her deal with English club Chelsea came to a close.
Before her time in England, Kerr built a strong NWSL resume over seven seasons with three different clubs, appearing in 119 regular-season games with 113 starts. That included three seasons — 2015 through 2017 — with Sky Blue FC, the club that has since been rebranded as Gotham FC.
Following her time with Sky Blue FC, Kerr spent the 2018 season with the Chicago Red Stars before heading home to Australia to play for the Perth Glory during the 2018-19 season. She then returned to Chicago in 2019 before making the move to Chelsea in the Women’s Super League later that same year.
Even with more than six years away from the league, Kerr’s 77 regular-season goals remain an NWSL record. In 2017, she claimed both the Golden Boot and MVP honors after putting up 17 goals in 22 games with Sky Blue FC.
Gotham FC General Manager Yael Averbuch West praised the signing in an official statement, saying, “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.”
“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,” Averbuch West added.
During her six years at Chelsea, Kerr scored 116 goals, claimed the Women’s Super League Golden Boot twice, and was part of a squad that captured five league titles and six domestic cup trophies.
Kerr will be eligible to take the field for Gotham once the NWSL’s transfer window opens on July 14. The club is set to host the Washington Spirit on July 15 in the Queens Classic in New York.
Kerr expressed her enthusiasm about the move in a statement of her own: “I’m incredibly excited to return to Gotham FC and to this city. 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.”
One financial note: Kerr does not qualify for the NWSL’s new High Impact Player rule, which takes effect Wednesday. That rule allows clubs to pay top-tier players up to $1 million above the salary cap. Kerr falls short of the eligibility criteria largely because she missed 20 months of action after tearing her ACL in January 2024.
Kerr’s return to the United States also comes after her marriage to fellow soccer player and midfielder Kristie Mewis. The couple recently welcomed a child together.
