Sam Kerr - A Detailed Overview
Early Life
Samantha May Kerr was born on 10 September 1993 in East Fremantle, a suburb of Perth, Western Australia. She comes from an Australian rules football family; her father Roger Kerr played for East Fremantle in the West Australian Football League (WAFL) and her older brother Daniel Kerr, also played at the highest level in the Australian Football League (AFL) for the West Coast Eagles. Though her family's intense interest in AFL, she bucks the trend by choosing to play soccer. She began playing soccer at a young age in her hometown.
Early Career
Kerr's professional career began in 2008 when she was just 15. She was signed by Perth Glory, a team in the W-League, the top division of soccer in Australia. In her first four years with the club, despite her very young age, she played 22 games and scored five goals. In addition, she also gained her first international experience representing Australia in the 2009 AFC Women's Championship in China.
International Career
Kerr made her international debut for the Matildas, Australia's women's national team, in 2009 at just 15 years old – becoming the youngest Australian women to represent her country in football. She has since represented her country in multiple tournaments including the 2011, 2015, and 2019 FIFA Women's World Cups, and the 2016 Olympic Games. Her brilliant performances have earned her several accolades, making her a key player in the nation's team.
Move to Sydney FC
In 2012, Kerr signed with Sydney FC, where she remained for two seasons. During this time she made 21 appearances and scored 11 goals. Her time at Sydney FC gave her troves of experience and improved her skills as a forward. She then returned to Perth Glory in 2014 where she took on the role of team captain.
Career in United States
In 2013 Kerr pursued opportunities in the United States, the heartland of women's professional soccer, signing with Western New York Flash in the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL). She then moved to Sky Blue FC where she emerged as a superstar, winning the league's MVP and Golden Boot awards in 2017. In 2018 she moved to Chicago Red Stars, leading the team to the championship game in 2019 and collecting her second Golden Boot.
Move to Europe
In November 2019, Kerr made a landmark move to Europe, signing a two-and-a-half-year deal with Chelsea FC Women in England's Women's Super League (WSL). Her impact was felt immediately, scoring goals and making critical assists to help the club win the league title and the Continental League Cup. She was also pivotal in helping Chelsea reach the final of the UEFA Women’s Champions League in 2021.
Personal Life
While Kerr is highly private about her personal life, she publicly disclosed her relationship with fellow football player Nikki Stanton in 2019, whom she met during her tenure at Sky Blue FC. The two often express support for each other on social media. Outside of football, Kerr is known for her laid-back personality and her love for her Boxer dog, Billie.
Achievements and Honors
Over her career, Kerr has amassed an impressive list of individual honours, including being named the Asian Women's Footballer of the Year in 2017, the Young Australian of the Year in 2018, and the BBC Women's Footballer of the Year twice in 2019 and 2020. She has also won the Golden Boot in the W-League, NWSL, and WSL. In 2021, she became the all-time leading scorer in NWSL history. At the national level, she's helped Australia's women's national team to their highest ever FIFA world rankings.
