Sam Kerr signs historic marquee W-League deal

Joining the likes of Alessandro Del Piero and Tim Cahill, Sam Kerr has become the first female to sign a marquee contract.

Sam Kerr has become the first ever female player to sign a marquee deal to play in Australia. Picture: Getty Images

In yet another watershed moment for women’s sport, Matildas megastar Sam Kerr has become the W-League’s first ever marquee player.

Joining the likes of Keisuke Honda, Harry Kewell, Tim Cahill and Alessandro Del Piero as players who have had their contract supplemented by the centralised fund, Kerr will re-join Perth Glory after turning down offers from powerhouse European clubs.

Playing with the Chicago Red Stars in the US NWSL this season the Australian forward scored 16 goals in 17 appearances to take the competition’s golden boot for top goal-scorer, and was named Asian player of the year in 2017, winning an ESPY for best international women’s soccer player.

“Sam Kerr is truly one of the best female footballers in the world right now and one of the most recognisable sports people in Australia and football worldwide,” FFA CEO David Gallop said in a statement. “Sam’s reach extends well beyond the football field, as illustrated by her being the current Young Australian of the Year.

“We truly hope that historic days like today will ensure we create an important legacy for professional female players in the future.”

FFA’s Head of Leagues, Greg O’Rourke, said the move was a sign the federation is committed to growing the W-League into “one of the top professional female leagues in the world”.

“Whilst our marquee player strategy is strongly focused on continuing to raise the profile of the A-League and W-League, Kerr will play an instrumental role in promoting the game of football as a whole, across both the professional game and the significant grassroots player base and also transcending the traditional boundaries of the men’s and women’s game.”

Kerr will miss the Matildas’ upcoming friendlies against France and England, rested after a busy schedule over the past 12 months.