Soccer celebrity Sam Kerr extends her Chelsea contract while playing along with fans.
For a while now, there have been rumors about the Australian soccer star's future with her current west London team. Many wondered if she would stay put after the departure of their former manager, Emma Hayes, who went on to manage the US Women's team last season.
Recently, this mystery was solved when Kerr signed a new contract with them, extending her stay until 2026. But before the official announcement, the club and Kerr played with their fans' emotions, sharing a video of the star thanking them and seemingly saying goodbye.
People took to social media, expressing their shock and disbelief at the situation. While supporters from other teams celebrated the possible end of Chelsea's dominance, fans of the London club secretly hoped that this was just a ruse.
And that's exactly what it was! After twenty minutes, Chelsea cleared it up by announcing the two-year deal.
Kerr jokingly stated in another video, "Did you guys really think I was gonna end on 99 goals?"
It seems the player herself came up with the idea to toy with their fans about the contract extension. Since she joined Chelsea from the Chicago Red Stars in 2019, Kerr has scored a whopping 99 goals in 128 games. She's dubbed one of the best soccer players out there.
Her impressive record includes five consecutive WSL titles, three FA Cups, two League Cups, and the Community Shield. Kerr has also topped the WSL's goal scorer list twice and was the runner-up for the prestigious Ballon d'Or award last year.
Apart from being Australia's record goalscorer, Kerr is one of the world's most recognized soccer stars.
While she's had tremendous success in the WSL, she has yet to win the Champions League. Kerr hasn't played since January 2024 and won't be taking part in this year's Olympic Games due to an anterior cruciate ligament injury.
Back in 2019, Hayes, then Chelsea's manager, had made it her mission to sign Kerr for the club. Their close relationship played a crucial role in Chelsea's recent domestic dominance.
Now, as the new manager, Sonia Bompastor aims to usher in a new era in west London. Retaining Kerr will help stabilize the team during this transition.
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Despite the speculation surrounding her future, Sam Kerr committed to staying with Chelsea, extending her contract until 2026. Contrary to initial fan concerns, this wasn't the end of her impressive goal tally at the club, with Kerr jokingly hinting that her goal count wouldn't stop at 99.
