Football star and prolific scorer Sam Kerr has signed to join Chelsea Women's football club. This will be the first time Kerr will play for a European club.

Kerr scored 19 goals in 23 games for the Chicago Red Stars in the National Women's Soccer League last season, and she is the all-time leading scorer in the USA and also back in Australia where she plays for Perth Glory after splitting her year between two clubs on two continents. 

Kerr is joining Chelsea on a two-year contract and will be joining the team in the second half of the WSL season. Kerr commented on her signing to Chelsea;

"WSL is the best league in Europe. 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," said Kerr.

Kerr will be joining the team late December, and the competition for starting place upfront includes Bethany England, Fran Kirby and Ramona Bachmann.

"The fact she chose Chelsea when she could have gone to any club in the world is a 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," Chelsea manager Emma Hayes said. "That's a wonderful compliment to us all."

This is an exciting time for the WSL as world-class players like Kerr are choosing to play in the UK. Anita Asante, Chelsea legend and a current player was asked about Kerr signing,

"I think it's great that Sam has chosen to come to Chelsea. We are excited for her arrival and look forward to welcoming her to the team."

Kerr, the youngest of four siblings, grew up in an Australia rules football family, where her father, Roger, and Daniel, one of her two brothers, played professionally.

With Kerr's arrival to the WSL, it is an excellent opportunity to the new partnership with Australian broadcaster Sport - as they have gained the rights to broadcast all WSL games in Australia with the Football Association. 

"This is our first deal in the Asian region and demonstrates the ever-increasing global appeal of the league," FA senior broadcast manager Tom Gracey said.

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