Sam Kerr has reportedly reached a preliminary agreement on a new deal with Chelsea, indicating her intention to prolong her tenure at Stamford Bridge beyond the upcoming summer.
While Kerr’s existing contract with Chelsea is set to expire in the summer, sources suggest that the 30-year-old Australian has made a commitment to stay with the west London club, as reported by The Athletic.
However, Kerr is currently recovering from a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), a setback that will keep her off the field for the rest of the 2023–24 season.
Unfortunately, her prolonged injury means she is unlikely to feature in another match under manager Emma Hayes, who is set to depart Chelsea at the conclusion of the season to assume the role of head coach for the US Women’s National Team (USWNT).
“With the announcement (of Kerr’s injury, the focus for Sam right now is on rehab,” Hayes said when asked about Kerr’s contract situation earlier in January. “I’m sure when the time is right to discuss her future, that will come from Sam and the club, but Sam loves Chelsea and Chelsea loves Sam, so I think that’s the most important thing to say on that front.”
Since her transfer from the Chicago Red Stars to Chelsea in 2019, Sam Kerr has established herself as a highly productive goal-scorer, registering an impressive tally of 99 goals in 128 matches.
Her remarkable contributions have played a pivotal role in Chelsea’s success, with the team securing four Women’s Super League (WSL) titles, three FA Cups, and two League Cups during Kerr’s tenure in west London.
As Kerr focuses on her rehabilitation due to a recent injury, Chelsea is gearing up to resume their league campaign against Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday.
Currently, they sit at the top of the WSL standings, leading by three points over Manchester City.