Matildas captain signs four-year deal to return to NWSL
Sam Kerr has locked in the final chapter of his successful club career, returning to the United States and Gotham FC on a four-year deal that will take the Matildas captain beyond his 37th birthday.
Kerr was Linked to return to NWSL Since becoming a free agent in May, following several seasons in England with Chelsea, she has broken the all-time club record with 116 goals in 158 appearances and won five Women’s Super League titles, three FA Cups and three League Cups.
Gotham confirmed they have withdrawn the striker – Kerr played for the club from 2015 until 2017, when it was known as Sky Blue FC; During this season, she scored an NWSL record 17 goals, won the league’s Golden Boot award, and was named the club’s most valuable player.
He also played for Chicago Red Stars in 2018 and 2019.
“I am incredibly excited to return to Gotham FC and this city,” Kerr said in an official press release.
“This club has been an important part of my journey and to be back now with everything Gotham has built is truly special. The passion here is clear and I can’t wait to help this team compete for trophies and create more history.”
Gotham remain NWSL champions and sit fifth at the midway point of the 2026 season, but have made some statements in the transfer market recently by signing Kerr’s former Chelsea teammate Guro Reiten and US national team talent Jaedyn Shaw.
The New Jersey-based club also announced plans to invest $35 million in its first training facility.
Kerr will be reunited with Norway international Reiten, as well as two other former Blues players, Jess Carter and Ann-Katrin Berger, as part of a contract that will keep him at the club until the end of the 2030 season.
Kerr will turn 33 in September, meaning she will be 37 when her contract expires a year before the 2031 Women’s World Cup.
He has once again been at the center of the Matildas’ attack after returning from a lengthy ACL rehab, leading the Australian team to the 2026 Asian Cup final and now has his sights set on the 2027 World Cup in Brazil.
Given her recent regrowth to the point of challenging the world-leading WSL and the fact that her partner is former US international Kristie Mewis, a return to the US makes sense.
“Sam is one of the defining players of his generation and a game-changing talent who has consistently performed at the highest levels of world football,” said Yael Averbuch West, Gotham FC’s president of football operations.
“His winning mentality, relentless competitiveness and ability to decide matches on the fly make him one of the most influential players in the game. Bringing Sam back to Gotham is a turning point for our club and we couldn’t be more excited.”
News, results and expert analysis from the sports weekend delivered every Monday. Sign up for our sports newsletter.
