Sam Kerr’s $2m mega deal to join iconic English football club Chelsea

Sam Kerr has signed a contract with Chelsea worth nearly $2m, making her one of the highest paid female footballers in the world.

Sam Kerr pictured at Stamford Bridge after signing for Chelsea.

Superstar Sam Kerr has signed a contract with Chelsea understood to be worth nearly $2m, making her one of the highest paid female footballers in the world.

Kerr signed a 2½ year deal with the iconic English club in a move experts say could see her already brilliant game go to another level.

The big payday for Australia’s best footballer came on the back of the historic news last week that both Matildas and Socceroos players will now be paid the same for representing their country.

Kerr said she was thrilled with her move and was keen to play for Chelsea in the highly competitive FA Women’s Super League.

Kerr wearing a Chelsea shirt in London after signing for the club.

“I am really excited to join the Chelsea Football Club and challenge myself in a new league,” Kerr said.

“I have grown a great deal having the opportunity to play both in the US and Australia. I would not be where I am without the support of the people around me. Looking forward to this next challenge.”

Chelsea FC Women have been circling the talented 26-year-old Australian for months.

Olympique Lyonnais (Lyon), the most successful women’s football team in Europe, had also entered the race for Kerr’s signature.

Kerr said she settled on Chelsea because of their extremely professional environment.

Kerr — who has won five consecutive golden boots across America’s NWSL and Australian W-League and is the all-time leading scorer in both — will wear the No 20 shirt.

“The WSL is the best league in Europe,” Kerr said.

“I want team success and I don’t want it to come easy. I feel Chelsea have been building something special over the years and I want to be a part of that — I want to lift some trophies.”

Sources told The Australian Kerr’s Chelsea contract is worth well over $600,000 a season.

Previously, Kerr has played in the W-League for Perth Glory from October to April and Chicago Red Stars in America’s National Women’s Soccer League from April to September.

She will start training with Chelsea next month.

The move to the UK caps off a stellar year for Kerr. She was recently named the NWSL’s Most Valuable Player after scoring a record 19 goals in 23 games to secure a third-consecutive golden boot.

This despite being absent for part of the season because of the World Cup, where she became the first Australian (male or female) to score a hat-trick at a World Cup. She was a finalist for the Best Women’s Player at the 2019 FIFA Football Awards as well as being a Ballon d’Or nominee.

Chelsea FC Women manager Emma Hayes says the club are thrilled to have signed the star. Hayes pointed out that the talented forward was not only recruited for her athletic ability but also her leadership qualities.

“Sam has proved time and time again in the NWSL that she is a prolific goal scorer,” Hayes said.

“She’s won the golden boot many times and she’s a player that can make things happen. She’s also a fantastic team player.

“The fact she chose Chelsea when she could have gone to any club in the world is testament to the players and the staff here because she saw this is the best place for her to grow and take the next step in her career. That’s a wonderful compliment to us all.”

The Daily Telegraph