Kerr is under contract with the NWSL champions until 2030, returning to the US League after six years with Chelsea in England.
Published June 29, 2026
Australian striker Sam Kerr has signed with Gotham FC, the reigning champions of America’s National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL), the club announced, after the iconic player ended her stellar career with Chelsea, where she won the Women’s Super League five times.
Kerr, a free agent, signed a contract Monday that will keep him in New York through the 2030 season. She previously played in the city from 2015 to 2017.
The North American League’s all-time leading regular season scorer, he scored 116 goals in all competitions during his time at Chelsea and was the 2023 Ballon d’Or runner-up.
“This club has been an important part of my journey, and to return to this moment with everything Gotham has built is truly special. The ambition here is clear and I look forward to helping this team compete for trophies and create more history,” Kerr said in a statement.
The deal is a fantastic coup for the NWSL, which saw several players leave for opportunities in Europe last year, and brings one of the game’s brightest talents to the sport’s largest market in the United States.
“Sam is one of the leading players of his generation and a game-changing talent who has consistently contributed at the highest levels of world soccer,” said Yael Apfelbach-West, Gotham’s head of football operations.
“Bringing Sam back to Gotham is a landmark moment for our club and we couldn’t be more excited.”
Kerr played in 119 regular-season games (113 starts) over seven seasons with three NWSL teams, including three years with Sky Blue FC (now Gotham FC) from 2015 to 2017.
After playing the 2018 season with the Chicago Red Stars, Kerr played a season (2018-19) with the Perth Glory in his native Australia, before returning to Chicago in 2019. She joined Women’s Super League side Chelsea in late 2019.
Despite being out for six and a half years, her 77 regular season goals remain an NWSL record. In 2017, she won the Golden Boot Award and the MVP Award after a season in which she scored 17 goals in 22 games for Sky Blue FC.
Carr is scheduled to make his debut with Gotham after the NWSL transfer window opens on July 14th. Gotham will host the Washington Spirit on July 15th at the Queens Classic in New York.
