It's the end of an era at Chelsea. Australian striker Sam Kerr has announced she will be leaving the club after six and a half unforgettable seasons.
The 32-year-old, whose contract expires at the end of this season, shared the news in a heartfelt video on social media, joined by her 1-year-old son, Jagger. "Hi Chelsea fans, unfortunately this is for real this time," she said. "I wanted you to hear it from me, but this Saturday will be my final game for Chelsea."
Kerr, ever the optimist, added: "I definitely don't want this to be a sad conversation. I want it to be — not a celebration — but remember all the good times we've had together. It's been an absolute honor to represent you guys the last six and a half years and I've had the best memories. Hopefully, we can make one more amazing memory on Saturday."
That final game? A Saturday showdown against Manchester United, with Kerr currently sitting on 16 goals for the season. She'll be sharing the farewell spotlight with teammate Millie Bright, who has announced her retirement after 12 years with the club.
Kerr's legacy at Chelsea is nothing short of legendary. She's scored 64 goals in the Women's Super League, winning the Golden Boot twice, and has 115 goals across all competitions — just one shy of the club's all-time record held by Fran Kirby. During her tenure, Chelsea has lifted five WSL titles, three FA Cups, and three League Cups.
On the international stage, Kerr is the all-time leading scorer for the Australian women's national team with 73 goals, and fans around the world know her for her iconic backflip goal celebrations. She's widely regarded as one of the best strikers in the game, and is the only player to have won a Golden Boot in three different leagues.
Before joining Chelsea, Kerr made her mark in the NWSL in the United States and the W League in Australia. Off the pitch, she's married to American midfielder Kristie Mewis.
As one chapter closes, the football world waits to see where Kerr's next backflip will land.