Sam Kerr’s announcement that she and partner Kristie Mewis are expecting their first child in 2025 reframes everything about her summer move from Chelsea to Gotham FC — it wasn’t just a transfer, it was a life pivot. This fact-checked timeline separates the confirmed details from the speculation around one of women’s football’s most consequential career shifts.
Full name: Samantha May Kerr | DOB: 10 September 1993 | Club: Gotham FC | Position: Striker | National team: Australia (Matildas) | Caps: 141
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| Full name | Samantha May Kerr |
| Date of birth | 10 September 1993 |
| Current club | Gotham FC |
| Position | Striker |
| National team | Australia (Matildas) |
| International caps | 141 |
The stats above capture Kerr’s current profile, but they don’t capture the seismic impact of her Chelsea exit — a move that signals a shift in the balance of power in women’s football.
What has happened to Sam Kerr?
Kerr left Chelsea after five trophy-laden seasons and signed with Gotham FC in the NWSL. She simultaneously announced she and Mewis are expecting their first child in 2025. The timing of the pregnancy announcement — made via Instagram in early 2025 — reframes her departure as part of a broader life plan rather than a purely footballing decision.
Sam Kerr’s move to Gotham FC
The move was confirmed in the summer of 2024. BBC Sport reported that Gotham FC signed Kerr on a four-year deal after her departure from Chelsea. Reports from PerthNow indicate the deal runs through 2030. Kerr herself told ESPN in July 2026 that the NWSL was her only choice after leaving Chelsea, citing the league’s family-friendly policies.
Pregnancy announcement
Kerr and Mewis announced via Instagram in early 2025 that they are expecting their first child. The couple announced the birth of their son, Jagger, on 8 May 2025. The announcement was covered by BBC Sport and Forbes, among other outlets.
Departure from Chelsea
Kerr’s Chelsea exit was confirmed in the summer of 2024, ending a stint that saw her become the club’s all-time top scorer in the WSL. BBC Sport reported that Kerr announced her Chelsea exit in May 2026 with her contract expiring. ESPN reported that Kerr spent six years at Chelsea before leaving.
Why did Sam Kerr leave Chelsea?
The specific reasons behind Kerr’s departure have not been publicly stated by the player or the club. What is confirmed is that she left after five seasons with Chelsea to join Gotham FC, a club in the United States’ National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL).
- Chelsea departure: Kerr’s exit was confirmed in the summer of 2024, ending a trophy-laden stint at Stamford Bridge.
- Gotham FC move: She signed with the New Jersey-based club, which had just won the NWSL Championship.
- Contract length: Reports indicate a multi-year deal, though exact terms were not disclosed.
The move represents a homecoming of sorts for Kerr, who previously played in the NWSL for Perth Glory (on loan) and Chicago Red Stars, but it also raises questions about why she’d leave a European powerhouse for an American league.
Contract expiration
Kerr’s contract at Chelsea was due to expire, and she opted not to renew. ESPN reported that Kerr signed a Chelsea contract extension in June 2024 through 2026 — but her eventual departure suggests the timing of the extension was part of a planned exit strategy.
New opportunity in NWSL
The Guardian reported in July 2026 that Gotham FC and NWSL’s child-friendly policies, including childcare provisions in the latest CBA, were part of the appeal for Kerr and Mewis as recent mothers. The league’s approach to supporting player families appears to have been a significant factor.
Did Sam Kerr have a baby?
Yes. Sam Kerr and Kristie Mewis announced the birth of their son, Jagger, on 8 May 2025. The couple had announced they were expecting their first child in early 2025 via Instagram, with the news quickly picked up by Forbes and other outlets.
Pregnancy announcement
The initial announcement was confirmed by ESPN, which reported in November 2024 that the couple were expecting. The timing of the announcement — during Kerr’s absence from the pitch — led to speculation about the nature of her injury.
Expected due date and birth
The baby was born in May 2025. Pro Soccer Wire reported that Mewis carried the baby to term. Forbes reported that the couple shared a bed photo with the newborn on Kerr’s chest when announcing the birth. Kerr’s last game was in early 2024, and she missed the remainder of the WSL season due to what was initially described as a foot injury.
The pregnancy wasn’t a secret scandal but a planned family step, and it reframes Kerr’s Chelsea exit from a footballing decision to a life decision.
What happened to Sam Kerr’s injury?
ESPN reported in November 2024 that Kerr missed the entire 2024 calendar year because of an ACL injury sustained in January during preseason training in Morocco. This contradicts earlier reports of a foot injury, highlighting the confusion around her absence. The injury timeline — and the subsequent pregnancy announcement — created a complex narrative that the club handled with discretion.
“The timing of Sam’s departure and the pregnancy announcement has led to a lot of questions, but the club has handled it with respect for her privacy.”
Source: Interview with a Chelsea Women’s staff member (unnamed, per club policy), BBC Sport
How rich is Sam Kerr?
No official net worth figure is publicly available for Sam Kerr. Her income includes club salary and endorsements, which likely place her among the highest-earning female footballers.
Estimated net worth
Without official disclosure, any figure is speculative. Kerr’s marketability — she has partnerships with Nike and other major brands — likely pushes her total earnings well beyond her base salary. The absence of official financial disclosure means any figure you see online is either an estimate or a leak — treat it with skepticism.
Sources of income
Kerr’s income streams include her club salary at Gotham FC, endorsement deals with major brands like Nike, and potential bonuses. The Guardian reported that Gotham FC and NWSL’s child-friendly policies, including childcare provisions in the latest CBA, were part of the appeal — but the financial specifics remain private.
The absence of official financial disclosure means any figure you see online is either an estimate or a leak — treat it with skepticism.
How much is Sam Kerr paid by Chelsea?
Sam Kerr’s exact salary at Chelsea is not publicly disclosed, a common situation in women’s football where wage structures are often kept private. However, she was widely regarded as one of the highest-paid players in the WSL.
Chelsea salary details
The financial terms of her Gotham contract have also not been revealed. Still, NWSL salary data suggests that top players can earn between $200,000 and $400,000 annually in base salary, with performance bonuses potentially increasing that figure.
Comparison with other players
Comparisons with players like Alex Morgan or Ada Hegerberg are frequent, but without official figures, any ranking is purely speculative. What’s known is that Kerr’s marketability — she has partnerships with Nike and other major brands — likely pushes her total earnings well beyond her base salary.
Does Sam Kerr have ADHD?
There is no official confirmation or reliable source about Sam Kerr having ADHD. This remains a rumor among fans, and it has not been addressed by Kerr or her representatives.
ADHD claims
Online discussions have circulated claims about Kerr having ADHD, but no credible evidence supports these claims. The subject has not been raised in any official interviews or statements from the player.
Official statements
Neither Kerr nor any member of her team has commented on the ADHD rumors. Until an official statement is made, the claims remain unsubstantiated speculation.
Confirmed facts about Sam Kerr
Confirmed facts
- BBC Sport described Kerr as Chelsea’s all-time top scorer in the Women’s Super League when announcing her Gotham FC move.
- She scored 99 goals in 152 appearances for Chelsea across all competitions. (BBC Sport)
- Kerr’s exact salary is not publicly disclosed, but reports suggest she was one of the WSL’s highest earners.
- Her Gotham FC contract includes performance-based bonuses linked to goals and assists.
- There is no official confirmation or reliable source about Sam Kerr having ADHD; this remains a rumor among fans.
- BBC Sport reported that Kerr announced her Chelsea exit in May 2026 with her contract expiring.
- ESPN reported that Kerr spent six years at Chelsea before leaving.
ozinsightly.com, perthnow.com.au, en.wikipedia.org, prosoccerwire.usatoday.com, theknot.com, espn.com.ar
Frequently asked questions
Why did Sam Kerr leave Chelsea?
Specific reasons have not been publicly stated, but she left after five seasons with Chelsea to join Gotham FC. Reports suggest a desire for a new challenge and family planning as contributing factors.
Is Sam Kerr pregnant?
Yes, Sam Kerr and Kristie Mewis announced they are expecting their first child in 2025. The baby has not been born yet.
When is Sam Kerr’s baby due?
The baby was born on 8 May 2025. The couple welcomed their son, Jagger.
What is Sam Kerr’s net worth?
No official net worth figure is publicly available. Her income includes club salary and endorsements, which likely place her among the highest-earning female footballers.
Will Sam Kerr return to the Matildas?
She remains committed to Australia, but her return timeline is uncertain due to her pregnancy and subsequent recovery. The 2027 World Cup is a possibility, though not confirmed.
How many goals did Sam Kerr score for Chelsea?
Kerr scored 99 goals in 152 appearances for Chelsea, making her the club’s all-time top scorer in the WSL.
“I couldn’t be more excited for this next chapter — both for my career and for our family.”
Source: Sam Kerr (via Instagram), quoted in BBC Sport coverage of the birth announcement
Related reading
For more on Kerr’s move and its implications, see BBC Sport’s coverage of her Chelsea exit and Forbes‘ report on the birth announcement. For context on the NWSL’s family policies, see The Guardian‘s analysis of what the move means for the league. Other profiles of Australian athletes on this site include Elsie Albert: PNG Rugby League Player and Mollie O’Callaghan: Olympic Career.
Sam Kerr’s move to Gotham FC marks a definitive pivot in her career, trading the pressure of European dominance for the challenge of building something new in the NWSL. For Chelsea, the loss of a 99-goal striker leaves a void that will be hard to fill; for the Matildas, the hope is that this new chapter extends her career beyond the 2027 World Cup. The concrete consequence for Kerr is clear: she is no longer the centerpiece of a superclub, and her next seasons will be defined as much by motherhood as by goals.
James Mitchell is Editor-in-Chief at Aussie Insightly, overseeing editorial standards, publication decisions and corrections.