Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Sam Kerr

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

Samantha Kerr is a highly acclaimed Australian professional soccer player renowned for her role as a striker. She currently plays for Chelsea in the Women's Super League and captains the Australian women's national team since 2019. Kerr's exceptional speed, skill, and tenacious playing style have solidified her reputation as one of the world's best strikers and one of Australia's most accomplished athletes.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

2008: Career start with Perth Glory

In 2008, Kerr started her career at the age of 15 with Perth Glory.

2008: Begins Playing in W-League

In 2008, Sam Kerr began playing in the W-League.

2008: Joins Perth Glory

In 2008, Sam Kerr joined Perth Glory.

February 2009: International Debut

In February 2009, at the age of 15, Kerr made her international debut for Australia's senior national team in a friendly against Italy.

2009: Debut for Perth Glory

During the 2009 W-League season, Kerr made her debut for Perth Glory at the age of 15.

2009: First senior international cap

In 2009, Kerr earned her first senior international cap at the age of 15.

2009: Joins Australia National Team

In 2009, Sam Kerr began playing for the Australia national team.

May 2010: Named to Matildas squad for AFC Women's Asian Cup

In May 2010, Kerr was named to the Matildas squad to compete at the 2010 AFC Women's Asian Cup.

2010: Started in all matches

During the 2010–11 season, Kerr started in all 10 matches and scored three goals.

2010: AFC Women's Asian Cup tournaments

In 2010, Kerr represented Australia at the AFC Women's Asian Cup tournaments.

2010: First International Goal and Trophy

In 2010, Kerr scored her first international goal at the age of 16 during the AFC Women's Asian Cup final against North Korea, helping Australia draw 1–1 and eventually win the tournament.

January 2011: Victory against Adelaide United

On 14 January 2011, Kerr scored a brace in the first half of a match against Adelaide United lifting Perth to a 2–1 victory.

2011: FIFA Women's World Cups

In 2011, Kerr represented Australia at the FIFA Women's World Cups.

2011: Continues playing for Perth Glory

In 2011, Sam Kerr continued playing for Perth Glory.

2012: Moves to Sydney FC

In 2012, Kerr moved to Sydney FC after playing for Perth Glory.

2013: NWSL Shield Win

In 2013, Kerr joined the Western New York Flash and helped the team win the NWSL Shield.

2013: Signed with Western New York Flash

In 2013, Kerr signed with the Western New York Flash, scoring six goals in 21 appearances.

2013: Begins Playing in National Women's Soccer League

In 2013, Sam Kerr began playing in the National Women's Soccer League.

August 2014: Return to Perth Glory

In August 2014, Kerr returned to Perth Glory on a one-year deal, scoring in her second match and later a hat-trick against Sydney FC.

2014: AFC Women's Asian Cup tournaments

In 2014, Kerr represented Australia at the AFC Women's Asian Cup tournaments.

2014: Leading Scorer

In 2014, Kerr returned to the Flash season she started in all 20 matches and was the team's leading scorer with 9 goals. She was named NWSL Player of the Week for week 9 after recording a brace and assist against Portland.

2014: Continues playing for Perth Glory

In 2014, Sam Kerr continued playing for Perth Glory.

2015: Trade to Sky Blue FC

Following the 2014 season, Kerr was traded to Sky Blue FC in exchange for Elizabeth Eddy and a first-round pick—fourth overall—in the 2015 NWSL College Draft

2015: FIFA Women's World Cups

In 2015, Kerr represented Australia at the FIFA Women's World Cups.

2016: NWSL Player of the week

During the 2016 season, Kerr was named NWSL Player of the week for Week 18 after scoring two goals: an 80th-minute equaliser against the Orlando Pride and a game-winning goal against the Pride a few days later.

2016: Summer Olympics

In 2016, Kerr represented Australia at the Summer Olympics.

2016: W-League season

In the 2016-17 W-League season she scored ten goals, led the team to the Grand Final, and earned the Julie Dolan Medal and the Penny Tanner Media MVP Award.

July 2017: Top Goalscorer at Tournament of Nations

In July 2017, Kerr was the top goalscorer at the inaugural Tournament of Nations in the United States, including a hat-trick against Japan.

2017: Golden Boot in NWSL

In 2017, Kerr won the Golden Boot in the NWSL (North America).

2017: Continues playing for Sky Blue FC

In 2017, Sam Kerr continued playing for Sky Blue FC.

2017: New NWSL record and Golden Boot

In the 2017 season, Kerr set a new NWSL record by scoring 4 goals in a single game and won the NWSL Golden Boot and MVP award with a record-breaking 17 goals.

January 2018: Traded to Chicago Red Stars

On 18 January 2018, Kerr was traded to the Chicago Red Stars along with Nikki Stanton by the Sky Blue FC in a three-team trade with the Chicago Red Stars and Houston Dash.

October 2018: First marquee player of the W-League

In October 2018, Kerr became the first marquee player of the W-League.

2018: AFC Women's Asian Cup tournaments

In 2018, Kerr represented Australia at the AFC Women's Asian Cup tournaments.

2018: Golden Boot in NWSL

In 2018, Kerr won the Golden Boot in the NWSL (North America).

2018: Continues playing in W-League

In 2018, Sam Kerr continued playing in the W-League.

2018: Joins Chicago Red Stars

In 2018, Sam Kerr joined Chicago Red Stars.

February 2019: Named Captain of the Matildas

In February 2019, Kerr was named captain of the Matildas by newly appointed head coach Ante Milicic.

November 2019: Chelsea Debut

On 13 November 2019, WSL club Chelsea announced Kerr would be joining the club for the second half of the 2019–20 FA WSL season on a two-and-a-half-year contract.

2019: Considering move to European team

At the end of the 2019 season Kerr announced that she was considering moving to a European team and had multiple offers.

2019: Named 2019 NWSL MVP

At the end of the 2019 season, Kerr was named the 2019 NWSL MVP, also receiving the NWSL Golden Boot and Player of the Year award.

2019: Hat-trick at World Cup tournament

During the 2019 World Cup, Kerr became the first Australian player to score a hat-trick at a World Cup tournament.

2019: Interest to play in Europe

In 2019, Kerr expressed interest in playing in Europe and signed with Chelsea after fielding multiple offers.

2019: Nike Commercials

In 2019, Kerr starred in a Nike commercial, Dream Further, and her trademark backflip was featured in the Nike ad, Dream Crazier.

2019: Golden Boot in NWSL

In 2019, Kerr won the Golden Boot in the NWSL (North America).

2019: Captain of Australia Women's National Team

In 2019, Sam Kerr became the captain of the Australia women's national team, showcasing her leadership qualities.

2019: Begins Playing in FA Women's Super League

In 2019, Sam Kerr began playing in the FA Women's Super League.

2019: Continues playing for Chicago Red Stars

In 2019, Sam Kerr continued playing for Chicago Red Stars.

2019: Continues playing for Perth Glory

In 2019, Sam Kerr continued playing for Perth Glory.

2019: Continues playing in National Women's Soccer League

In 2019, Sam Kerr continued playing in the National Women's Soccer League.

January 2020: Chelsea Debut and first goal

In January 2020, Kerr made her Chelsea debut against Reading and scored her first goal two weeks later against Arsenal.

August 2020: Women's FA Community Shield

At the 2020 Women's FA Community Shield on 29 August 2020, Kerr created a series of goal scoring opportunities before being substituted in Chelsea's 2–0 win over Manchester City.

2020: Summer Olympics

In 2020, Kerr represented Australia at the Summer Olympics.

2020: Golden Boot in Women's Super League

In 2020, Kerr won the Golden Boot in the Women's Super League (Europe).

2020: Begins Playing in UEFA Women's Champion League

In 2020, Sam Kerr began playing in the UEFA Women's Champion League.

2020: Joins Chelsea

In 2020, Sam Kerr joined Chelsea.

2020: Domestic Quadruple of the 2020-21 season

On 5 December Kerr scored a brace in the delayed FA Cup final against Arsenal, winning Player of the Match, and helping her team lift the trophy and secure the domestic quadruple of the 2020–21 season, the first English women's club to achieve the feat.

November 2021: Contract Extension with Chelsea

On 16 November 2021, Kerr signed a two-year contract extension with Chelsea, keeping her at the club until the end of the 2023-24 season.

2021: Tokyo Olympics

At the 2020 Tokyo Olympics held in 2021, Kerr scored in the opening game and scored a brace in the second game against Sweden. She also scored in the quarter-finals and bronze medal match, becoming the all-time top scorer for the Matildas with 48 goals.

2021: Semi-final of major tournament

In 2021, Kerr captained the team to their historic first ever semi-final of a major tournament during the delayed 2020 Summer Olympics, resulting in their best ever 4th-place finish.

2021: UEFA Women's Champions League final

In 2021, Kerr helped Chelsea reach the UEFA Women's Champions League final for the first time.

2021: Published First Book

In 2021, Kerr published her first book (The Flip Out) in her autobiographical football themed children's book series, "Kicking Goals".

2021: Golden Boot in Women's Super League

In 2021, Kerr won the Golden Boot in the Women's Super League (Europe).

March 2022: Goal-scoring streak and crucial winner

In March 2022, Kerr scored a brace in Chelsea's record-breaking win against Leicester City in the WSL and followed it up the following week against Reading. She also scored a crucial 92nd-minute winner against Aston Villa to keep Chelsea's title hopes alive.

2022: AFC Women's Asian Cup

At the 2022 AFC Women's Asian Cup, Kerr scored 5 goals in Australia's opening match and surpassed Tim Cahill's Australian international goal-scoring record. Despite being eliminated in the quarter-finals, she won the Golden Boot with 7 goals.