Kerr To Leave Chicago To Pursue Playing In Europe
Sam Kerr will not return to Red Stars for the 2020 NWSL season to pursue playing opportunity in Europe.
The Chicago Red Stars announced that the 2019 NWSL MVP award winner, Sam Kerr, will not be returning to the team for the 2020 National Women’s Soccer League season.
Kerr will officially be joining England’s Chelsea FC after a two-year stint with the Chicago Red Stars. Emma Hayes is the head coach/manager of Chelsea FC since August 2012.
The 26-year-old international will join up with the Blues when the mid-season transfer window opens, linking up with the squad for the second half of the 2019/20 Barclays Women’s Super League season.
Hayes has expressed her delight saying Kerr will ‘fit seamlessly’ into the team and help take the Blues to the next level.
‘There is an adaptation for any player that comes to play here but Sam’s proven herself over a long period of time over in America, she has been MVP [Most Valuable Player] and top goalscorer consecutively,” said Hayes. “For her, the challenge is to prove herself in a European league, that’s the next step.”
“It’s really clear that the best players in the world do want to come to England,” said Hayes. “We want to become the best league in the world and we’re moving in the right direction for that.”
“On behalf of everyone at the Red Stars and our supporters we want to thank Sam for her commitment and contributions to Chicago over the past 2 years,” Red Stars Owner Arnim Whisler said.
“We wish Sam all the best on the next step in her journey. Sam’s spirit, grit, talent, and humor are very special and will be missed.”
Arnim Whisler – Red Stars Owner
Kerr joined the Red Stars in the 2019 season. While at Chicago, she scored 34 goals and nine assists.
A proven goalscorer throughout her career, Kerr was recently named the NWSL’s Most Valuable Player (MVP) after scoring a record 19 goals in 23 games to secure a third-consecutive golden boot. This was despite being absent for part of the season because of this summer’s World Cup.
On the international stage, Kerr made her debut for the Matildas at just 15 and has gone on to score 38 times for her country, including five goals at this year’s World Cup, and she was recently a finalist for the Best Women’s Player at the 2019 FIFA Football Awards as well as being a Ballon d’Or nominee.
“We wish Sam nothing but the best. She is an incredible person on and off the field and we will continue to support her from Chicago.”
Rory Dames – Red Stars Head Coach
