A hugely influential presence during a period of sustained success for the Blues, Kerr will depart as our fourth-highest appearance maker, having represented the club on 157 occasions.

Cementing her reputation as a ruthless and consistent goalscorer with Chelsea, the Australia international has netted 115 times for the club – and currently sits just one goal behind our all-time leading scorer, Fran Kirby.

'When I reflect on my Chelsea career and doing it for the last time [against Manchester United this Saturday], I just feel happy,' said Kerr, reflecting on her departure. 'Happy that it happened, and I feel so grateful to have played for this club for six years and won as many trophies as we could.'

Kerr’s goals powered Chelsea to several trophies over the past six seasons. She was our top scorer during trophy-laden 2020/21 and 2021/22 campaigns and twice earned Women’s Super League Golden Boot awards after we claimed successive titles.

Kerr netted 29 goals in 38 appearances in the 2022/23 season, as the Blues went on to secure another WSL and FA Cup double.

Her impressive performances saw her named Chelsea’s Player of the Season and Players’ Player of the Season, in addition to collecting the WSL Player of the Year Award and Football Writers’ Association Women’s Footballer of the Year. Kerr was named in the PFA’s WSL Team of the Year.

In October 2023, Kerr finished second in the Ballon d’Or. Unfortunately, having moved to 99 Chelsea goals, she sustained a knee injury the following January and was sidelined for 20 months.

After battling back to full fitness, Kerr made her return to action against Aston Villa in September. She was introduced as a 75-minute substitute and promptly scored her 100th Chelsea goal.

On her first start since after injury, away to Austrian side St Polten in the Women’s Champions League, Kerr found the target twice in a 6-0 win.

She has struck 16 goals in 29 appearances this season and became our all-time WSL top scorer, with 64 goals, after netting against Leicester City earlier this month.

Kerr will depart having won five WSL titles, three FA Cups, three League Cups, the Community Shield, and with a firm place in Chelsea history and the hearts of Blues supporters.

We thank Sam for her incredible contribution to our success on the pitch and sustained growth off it. We wish her all the best in the next chapter of her career.