By Anna Harrington
The A-League Women has lost arguably its most recognisable star, with news Matildas World Cup penalty shootout protagonist Cortnee Vine has left Sydney FC bound for the United States.
The news came hours after Sam Kerr re-signed with Chelsea until 2026 as she attempts to add even more silverware to her trophy-laden time with the English powerhouse.
But while Australia’s skipper has opted to stay put, that was not the case for Vine, who gave every indication last October she was set to stay with the Sky Blues long term but has since clearly had a change of heart.
Sydney confirmed on Friday afternoon that the 26-year-old winger had played her last game for the club after leading Ante Juric’s side to a second-straight grand final victory earlier this year. It will be her first overseas contract.
Centre-back Charlotte McLean, who is also Vine’s partner, will follow Vine from Sydney to the US after 74 games for the Sky Blues, though the identity of each of their new National Women’s Soccer League clubs is yet to be confirmed.
The loss of Vine in particular is a bitter blow for the ALW after her transformation into a national overnight following the Matildas’ unprecedented success at the 2023 World Cup on home soil.
Cortnee Vine playing in the Matildas’ friendly against China in Adelaide last month.Credit: Getty Images
She was handed a one-year marquee contract for the 2023-24 season, and her presence was a major drawcard for public interest in the ALW and led to several clubs breaking attendance records.
In February, Vine withdrew from the Matildas’ successful Olympic qualifiers against Uzbekistan due to personal reasons, but returned for the April and May friendlies against Mexico and China and was selected in Tony Gustavsson’s 18-player squad for the Paris Olympics.
“The last four years at Sydney FC have had a life-changing impact on me and I’m extremely thankful to everyone at the club,” Vine said in a statement. “Sydney FC has given me the platform to achieve my goals, enjoy a lot of success and move on to the next stage of my career.”
Kerr, meanwhile, had long been expected to re-commit to Chelsea, for whom she has played since 2019 and scored 99 goals in 128 matches.
An injured Sam Kerr celebrated the Women’s Super League title with her Chelsea teammates.Credit: The FA, via Getty Images
The 30-year-old has been sidelined since January after tearing her ACL on a training camp, with Chelsea going on to win the Women’s Super League title without their star striker.
Despite her injury, Kerr still would have been one of the hottest free agents on the planet had she opted to test the market.
Australian captain Kerr is also the country’s all-time record goalscorer, with 69 goals in 128 international games, but will miss the Paris Olympics through injury.
She will hope to return to action either late this year or early in 2025 under new manager Sonia Bompastor, who previously coached Ellie Carpenter at Lyon in France, following Emma Hayes’ departure to lead the United States.
In an unusual re-signing announcement, Chelsea first posted a video on their social media account in which an emotional Kerr appeared to be saying goodbye to the club.
But less than 20 minutes later, they posted another video of Kerr confirming she was actually staying.
“I’m not leaving,” Kerr said.
“Did you guys really think I was going to end on 99 goals?”
The superstar striker has won five WSL titles, three FA Cups, two League Cups and a Community Shield at Chelsea, along with losing the Champions League final to Barcelona in 2020-21.
“It’s really exciting and a very proud moment for me,” Kerr said in a statement after re-signing.
“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.”
Kerr is set to face trial next year after being charged with racially aggravated harassment of a London police officer.
She was charged in January this year with using insulting, threatening or abusive words that caused alarm or distress to a police officer during an incident in Twickenham, south-west London, on January 30 last year.
She pleaded not guilty to the offence at a court hearing in March, according to the Crown Prosecution Service, and is scheduled to appear at Wimbledon Magistrates Court in February 2025.
Both Chelsea and Football Australia have pledged to support their superstar striker throughout the trial.
AAP
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