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Jeff Kassouf
Multiple Authors
Forward Sam Kerr has officially joined the reigning NWSL champions, Gotham FC, through the 2030 season, as announced by the team on Monday.
Kerr was a free agent following the expiration of her contract with English powerhouse Chelsea. The signing, reported earlier this June by ESPN, marks Kerr’s return to NWSL and her former club. Remarkably, she still holds the record for regular-season goals in the NWSL despite not having played in the league since 2019.
“I’m thrilled to be back with Gotham FC and in this city,” Kerr said in a statement. “This club played a vital role in my journey, and returning now, given everything Gotham has accomplished, is truly special. The ambition here is evident, and I can’t wait to contribute to the team’s pursuit of trophies and more history.”
The maximum contract length in the NWSL is five seasons. Gotham’s decision to commit to Kerr for the next four and a half seasons likely aligns with salary cap regulations, allowing for the deal’s value to be spread out over time.
Despite her past accolades, including being a former NWSL MVP and Golden Boot winner, Kerr does not qualify for the NWSL’s new High Impact Player (HIP) rule, which permits teams to pay star players above the salary cap, with a potential max of $1 million. The specific criteria to access these funds, determined by the NWSL Board of Governors, currently exclude Kerr.
Kerr is ineligible mainly due to a torn ACL she suffered in January 2024, which sidelined her for 20 months. The NWSL Players Association has lodged a grievance regarding the HIP rule, asserting it contravenes the collective bargaining agreement and federal law, arguing that the additional $1 million should instead be integrated into the salary cap. No amendments to the criteria have been made public, with the HIP rule slated to take effect on July 1.
ESPN has confirmed that Gotham did not utilize HIP funds for Kerr’s signing.
Gotham possesses allocation funds that can also mitigate the impact of player salaries against the salary cap. Recently, Gotham obtained $350,000 in expansion allocation money by trading defender Lilly Reale to Boston Legacy FC. This allocation funding can be utilized until the end of 2027.
Kerr will need to wait until the NWSL’s transfer window opens on July 14 to make her debut for Gotham. She is set to play against Washington Spirit the next day in the Queens Classic at Citi Field, marking the team’s first regular-season match in New York City. In 2017, she won both the NWSL Golden Boot and MVP awards during her tenure with Sky Blue FC (now Gotham FC), netting 17 goals in 22 matches.
The 32-year-old Australian boasts 77 career goals in the NWSL’s regular season.
“Sam is a transformative player of her generation, possessing a game-changing talent that has consistently shone on the global stage,” said Gotham FC general manager Yael Averbuch West. “Her winning spirit, fierce competitiveness, and match-deciding capabilities label her as one of the sport’s most impactful players. Welcoming Sam back to Gotham stands as a monumental achievement for our club, and we are ecstatic.”
Kerr returns to the United States after marrying American midfielder Kristie Mewis and welcoming their child. Mewis, a native of Boston, has played for six different teams in her NWSL career.
Kerr has not officially retired since leaving West Ham United in 2025.
During her six years at Chelsea, Kerr secured two Women’s Super League Golden Boots, five league titles, and six domestic cups. She netted her 116th goal for Chelsea in her final appearance in May, which equaled the club’s scoring record. Kerr was with Sky Blue FC from 2015 to 2017, a period marked by challenges both on and off the field.
After a match in July 2018 against Sky Blue FC while playing for the Red Stars, Kerr expressed her desire for improvement, stating, “The girls deserve better… I wish I could take all of them with me, but that’s just not possible.”
A week later, The Equalizer published an investigation revealing significant deficiencies in the Sky Blue FC practice facility, including a lack of locker rooms and running water.
The organization rebranded as NJ/NY Gotham FC in 2021 and relocated to Red Bull Arena (now Sports Illustrated Stadium), enhancing their proximity to New York City. Earlier this month, Gotham unveiled plans to transform and customize the former training facility of the New York Red Bulls for their own exclusive use. Additionally, they are negotiating with NYCFC to potentially play at the new Etihad Park in Queens, which is set to open next year.