The 26-year-old international will join up with the Blues when the mid-season transfer window opens, linking up with the squad for the second half of the 2019/20 Barclays Women’s Super League season.Kerr (pictured above with manager Emma Hayes and director Marina Granovskaia) had previously split her playing time between Perth Glory in the Australian W-League from October to April and Chicago Red Stars in America’s National Women’s Soccer League from April to September.

A proven goalscorer throughout her career, Kerr was recently named the NWSL’s Most Valuable Player (MVP) after scoring a record 19 goals in 23 games to secure a third-consecutive golden boot. This was despite being absent for part of the season because of this summer’s World Cup.

Kerr helped Chicago Red Stars to the NWSL Championship final when she scored the only goal in the play-off semi-final against Portland Thorns. However, the Australian forward missed out on clinching the title after the Red Stars suffered a defeat to North Carolina Courage.

Follow the Chelsea Women’s Instagram account for all things Sam Kerr – including her first interview on joining the club

Sam Kerr's international record

On the international stage, Kerr made her debut for the Matildas at just 15 and has gone on to score 38 times for her country, including five goals at this year’s World Cup, and she was recently a finalist for the Best Women’s Player at the 2019 FIFA Football Awards as well as being a Ballon d’Or nominee.Ahead of her move to Chelsea, Kerr, who will wear the number 20 shirt, said: ‘The WSL is the best league in Europe. I want team success and I don’t want it to come easy. I feel Chelsea have been building something special over the years and I want to be a part of that – I want to lift some trophies.’

Jonna Andersson, who previously had the squad number 20, will now wear shirt number 25.

Chelsea FC Women manager Emma Hayes added: ‘Sam has proved time and time again in the NWSL that she is a prolific goalscorer. She’s won the golden boot many times and she’s a player that can make things happen, but she’s also a fantastic team player.‘The fact she chose Chelsea when she could have gone to any club in the world is a testament to the players and the staff here because she saw this is the best place for her to grow and take the next step in her career. That’s a wonderful compliment to us all.’The talented forward is not only clinical in front of goal, she possesses raw pace, a deadly touch and strong leadership qualities. She is the captain of the Australian national team.

Sam Kerr's goal record and honours

In front of goal, Kerr’s record speaks for itself and she is the all-time leading goalscorer in the W-League with 70 goals and has netted a further 69 in the USA having represented Western New York Flash, Sky Blue FC and Chicago, claiming three golden boots and two MVPs.Numerous milestones and individual honours have been ticked off, including being the first Australian (male or female) to score a hat-trick at a World Cup, being named as the 2017 Asian Football Confederation’s Women’s Footballer of the Year, and receiving awards for Best International Women’s Footballer and the Best Player in the NWSL at the 2019 ESPY Awards.

The West Australian received the Young Australian of the Year award in 2018 and was one of five finalists for the BBC Women’s Footballer of the Year Award in 2018 and 2019.Welcome to Chelsea, Sam!