Sam Kerr to Leave Chelsea After 2025-26 Season: NWSL Clubs Already Circling

"When I reflect on my Chelsea career... I just feel happy." Those words from Sam Kerr signal the end of an era at Stamford Bridge, where the Australian striker rewrote Women's Super League record books with 115 goals, five league championships, and a period of dominance that few players can match.

Chelsea made it official Thursday: Kerr will leave when her deal runs out at the conclusion of the 2025-26 campaign. At 32 and having bounced back from a severe ACL tear, the veteran forward is attracting serious interest from multiple NWSL teams. Her next destination? Almost certainly back in North America.

The silverware tells only part of the story

Sure, the trophy haul is impressive — five WSL titles, three FA Cup victories, and three League Cup crowns. But Kerr's true impact came during Chelsea's golden years under manager Emma Hayes, where she became the standard-bearer for excellence in England's top flight.

Consecutive WSL Golden Boot awards in 2021 and 2022. WSL Player of the Year honours the following season. A runner-up finish for the 2023 Ballon d'Or. These weren't flash-in-the-pan achievements — this was sustained excellence from a player competing at the absolute pinnacle of women's football for years on end.

Her most iconic moment? A two-goal performance against Manchester United on the final matchday of 2021-22, with Chelsea trailing and the title slipping away. Not lucky goals. Not penalties. Two clutch strikes when everything was on the line.

With one match remaining this Saturday against Manchester United, Kerr sits just one goal shy of Fran Kirby's all-time Chelsea scoring record. She already holds the club's WSL goals mark. Whether she reaches that milestone feels almost secondary at this stage.

Injury-plagued final year doesn't diminish legacy

The ACL injury she sustained in January 2024 cost her over 12 months. She returned to action in September under new boss Sonia Bompastor but managed only four WSL starts across 21 appearances, watching from the sidelines as Chelsea slipped from champions to third while Manchester City claimed the crown. Not exactly the farewell script anyone envisioned.

Here's what matters, though — she still led Australia to the Asia Cup final in March after getting consistent playing time internationally. The tank isn't empty. NWSL clubs don't pursue players on their last legs; they target marquee names with drawing power, and Kerr checks both boxes.

Her departure coincides with Millie Bright's retirement in April after 314 matches. Chelsea are losing their two most accomplished players in one transfer window. That's a complete overhaul, not minor tweaking — and anyone handicapping Chelsea's WSL title chances for next season needs to account for this massive talent drain.