Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Sam Kerr

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: July 16, 2026

From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how Sam Kerr made an impact.

Samantha Kerr is an Australian professional footballer widely regarded as one of the best forwards in the world. As the captain of the Matildas, Australia’s national team, she has led her country to historic heights, including a semi-final appearance at the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup. Kerr has achieved immense success at the club level, notably with Chelsea FC in the FA Women's Super League, where she has secured multiple league titles and Golden Boot awards. A prolific goal-scorer, she is celebrated for her clinical finishing, agility, and aerial prowess. Kerr holds the record as the all-time leading scorer for the Australian national team, across both men's and women's football, and has consistently been a top contender for global individual honors such as the Ballon d'Or Féminin. Her influence extends beyond the pitch, making her a global icon in women's sports and a key figure in the rise of professional women’s football.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

2008: Professional Career Debut with Perth Glory

In 2008, at the age of 15, Sam Kerr began her professional football career playing for Perth Glory.

2009: Professional Debut and Award Recognition

In 2009, Sam Kerr made her professional debut for Perth Glory at the age of 15, becoming the W-League's youngest player. That same year, she was honored as the Players' Player and received the Goal of the Year award for a strike against Sydney FC.

2009: Senior International Debut

In 2009, at the young age of 15, Sam Kerr earned her first senior international cap for the Australian national football team.

2010: AFC Asian Cup Appearance

Sam Kerr represented Australia at the AFC Asian Cup tournament held in 2010.

2010: 2010-11 W-League Season Performance

Throughout the 2010 season and into the 2011 campaign, Kerr established herself as a consistent starter for Perth Glory, playing in all 10 matches and contributing three goals.

January 2011: Match-Winning Brace Against Adelaide United

On 14 January 2011, Sam Kerr scored two goals in the first half of a match against Adelaide United, securing a 2-1 victory for Perth Glory.

2011: FIFA World Cup Appearance

Sam Kerr competed in the 2011 FIFA World Cup as part of the Australian national football team.

2012: Departure from Perth Glory

By 2012, Sam Kerr concluded her initial tenure with Perth Glory, transitioning to Sydney FC following her early years at the club.

2013: Joining Western New York Flash and NWSL Success

In 2013, Kerr joined the Western New York Flash for the NWSL's inaugural season, where she contributed to the team's victory in the NWSL Shield.

2013: Signing with Western New York Flash

In 2013, Sam Kerr joined the Western New York Flash, where she made 21 appearances, started 19 matches, and scored six goals. During this 2013 season, the team reached the final after beating Sky Blue FC, but ultimately fell to Portland in the championship match.

August 2014: Return to Perth Glory

In August 2014, Sam Kerr signed a one-year contract to return to the Perth Glory football club, joining five other Matildas players who also signed with the team that month.

2014: 2014 NWSL Season Performance and Transfer

During the 2014 season, Sam Kerr played for the Western New York Flash, appearing in all 20 matches and scoring 9 goals to become the team's leading scorer. Her performance earned her the NWSL Player of the Week title in week 9. Following the conclusion of the 2014 season, Kerr was traded to Sky Blue FC.

2014: AFC Asian Cup Appearance

Sam Kerr participated in the 2014 AFC Asian Cup representing the Australian national team.

2015: FIFA World Cup Appearance

In 2015, Sam Kerr played for Australia during the FIFA World Cup tournament.

2015: Transfer to Sky Blue FC

In 2015, following her appearance at the FIFA World Cup in Canada, Sam Kerr joined the NWSL club Sky Blue FC alongside her Matildas teammate Caitlin Foord. During this 2015 season, Kerr proved highly impactful by scoring six goals in just nine appearances, leading the team in scoring.

2015: 2015 NWSL College Draft Impact

In 2015, the Western New York Flash utilized a first-round draft pick, acquired as part of the trade involving Sam Kerr at the end of the 2014 season, to select Sam Mewis in the 2015 NWSL College Draft.

2016: 2016-17 W-League Season Success

During the 2016-17 W-League season, Sam Kerr showcased her skill by scoring ten goals and guiding her team to the Grand Final. Her exceptional performance earned her the Julie Dolan Medal and the Penny Tanner Media MVP Award in 2016.

2016: Summer Olympics Appearance

Sam Kerr participated in the 2016 Summer Olympics as a representative of the Australian team.

2016: 2016 Sky Blue FC Season Performance

Throughout the 2016 season, Sam Kerr played nine matches for Sky Blue FC following her national team commitments for the 2016 Rio Olympics, during which time she netted five regular-season goals and earned NWSL Player of the Week honors in Week 18 for her two-goal performance against the Orlando Pride.

2017: Golden Boot Success in NWSL

During 2017, Sam Kerr secured the Golden Boot award while competing in the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL).

2017: Historic NWSL Performance and 2017 Season Success

During the 2017 season, Sam Kerr achieved a historic milestone by scoring four goals in a single match to lead Sky Blue FC to a 5-4 comeback victory over the Seattle Reign after trailing 3-0 at halftime. In 2017, she also became the all-time leading goalscorer in NWSL history at age 23 and concluded the season by winning both the NWSL Golden Boot and the league MVP award after netting a record-breaking 17 goals.

January 2018: Trade to Chicago Red Stars

In January 2018, Sam Kerr was officially traded from Sky Blue FC to the Chicago Red Stars as part of a complex three-team trade involving the Houston Dash.

October 2018: First W-League Marquee Player

In October 2018, Sam Kerr made history by becoming the first marquee player of the W-League. She committed to staying with Perth after receiving a $400,000 contract, choosing to remain in Australia despite receiving lower-value offers from overseas.

2018: AFC Asian Cup Appearance

During the year 2018, Sam Kerr competed for Australia in the AFC Asian Cup tournament.

2018: Dual League Golden Boot Wins

Throughout 2018, Sam Kerr achieved significant success by winning the Golden Boot in both the W-League for the 2017–18 season and the NWSL.

November 2019: Sam Kerr Joins Chelsea FC

In November 2019, WSL club Chelsea officially announced that Sam Kerr would be joining the team for the remainder of the 2019–20 FA WSL season, signing a two-and-a-half-year contract.

2019: Sam Kerr considers move to European football

At the conclusion of the 2019 season, Sam Kerr publicly announced that she was evaluating multiple contract offers from European teams, signaling a potential transition in her professional football career.

2019: FIFA World Cup Hat-trick Milestone

During the 2019 FIFA World Cup, Sam Kerr made history by becoming the first Australian player to score a hat-trick in a World Cup tournament.

2019: Sam Kerr's Historic 2019 NWSL Season

During the 2019 season, Sam Kerr achieved several historic milestones: she was named the 2019 NWSL MVP for the second time, secured her third consecutive NWSL Golden Boot with 18 goals and five assists, and was honored as the NWSL Players Association Player of the Year. Additionally, in 2019, she led the Chicago Red Stars to their first NWSL Championship appearance.

2019: Consecutive Golden Boot Achievements

In 2019, Sam Kerr continued her prolific scoring form, earning the Golden Boot in the W-League for the 2018–19 season and the NWSL.

2019: Appointment as National Team Captain

In 2019, Samantha May Kerr assumed the role of captain for the Australian national soccer team, a position she has held since that time.

2019: Signing with Chelsea FC

In 2019, after expressing interest in playing in Europe and receiving multiple offers, Sam Kerr officially signed with the English club Chelsea.

January 2020: Sam Kerr's Chelsea Debut and First Goal

Sam Kerr made her debut for Chelsea against Reading on January 5, 2020, and subsequently scored her first goal for the club during a match against Arsenal two weeks later in January 2020.

2020: Women's Super League Golden Boot Start

During the 2020–21 season, which began in 2020, Sam Kerr claimed the Golden Boot in the Women's Super League (Europe).

2020: Completion of Domestic Quadruple

In 2020, specifically concluding during the delayed FA Cup final on 5 December 2021, Sam Kerr helped Chelsea secure the domestic quadruple for the 2020–21 season, marking a historic achievement for an English women's club.

2020: Summer Olympics Appearance

Sam Kerr competed in the 2020 Summer Olympics, which took place as part of her international football career.

November 2021: Contract Extension with Chelsea

On 16 November 2021, Sam Kerr committed her future to Chelsea by signing a two-year contract extension, ensuring she would remain with the club through the conclusion of the 2023–24 season.

2021: UEFA Women's Champions League Final Appearance

In 2021, Sam Kerr played a pivotal role in helping her team, Chelsea, reach the UEFA Women's Champions League final for the first time in the club's history.

2021: Continued Golden Boot Dominance in WSL

In 2021, Sam Kerr successfully defended her scoring title by winning the Golden Boot in the Women's Super League for the 2021–22 season.

2021: Olympic Semi-final Captaincy

In 2021, while playing in the delayed 2020 Summer Olympics, Sam Kerr captained Australia to their first-ever semi-final in a major tournament, securing a best-ever fourth-place finish.

2022: AFC Asian Cup Appearance

In 2022, Sam Kerr took part in the AFC Asian Cup tournament as a member of the Australian squad.

2023: Contractual Commitment Duration

During 2023, Sam Kerr continued her tenure at Chelsea as part of the contract extension signed in November 2021, which binds her to the club until the end of the 2023–24 season.

2023: FIFA World Cup Appearance

Sam Kerr represented Australia in the 2023 FIFA World Cup tournament.

2026: AFC Asian Cup Appearance

Sam Kerr represented Australia at the AFC Asian Cup tournament held in 2026.

29 August 2020: 2020 Women's FA Community Shield

On 29 August 2020, Sam Kerr played for Chelsea in the 2020 Women's FA Community Shield, where she was instrumental in creating multiple scoring opportunities during the team's 2–0 victory over Manchester City before being substituted.