Matildas skipper Kerr signs new Chelsea deal until 2026

Matildas superstar captain Sam Kerr has re-signed with Chelsea until 2026 as she attempts to add more silverware to her trophy-laden time with the English powerhouse.

Kerr, 30, had long been expected to re-commit to Chelsea, where she has played since 2019 and scored 99 goals in 128 matches.

She has been sidelined since January after tearing her ACL on a training camp, with Chelsea going on to win the Women's Super League title without their star striker.

Despite her injury, Kerr still would have been one of the hottest free agents on the planet had she opted to test the market.

Kerr is also Australia's all-time record goalscorer, with 69 goals in 128 international games, but will miss the Paris Olympics through injury.

She will hope to return to action either late this year or early in 2025 under new manager Sonia Bompastor, who previously coached Ellie Carpenter at Lyon in France, following Emma Hayes' departure to lead the United States.

In an unusual re-signing announcement, Chelsea first posted a video on their social media account in which a tearful Kerr appeared to be saying goodbye to the club.

But less than 20 minutes, they posted another video of Kerr confirming she was actually staying.

"I'm not leaving," Kerr said.

"Did you guys really think I was going to end on 99 goals?"

The superstar striker has won five WSL titles, three FA Cups, two League Cups and a Community Shield at Chelsea, along with losing the Champions League final to Barcelona in 2020-21.

"It's really exciting and a very proud moment for me," Kerr said in a statement after re-signing.

"Having the opportunity to stay at a club like Chelsea means a lot to me. I'm really excited to continue to push and to try to win trophies."

Kerr is set to face trial next year after being charged with racially aggravated harassment of a London police officer.

She was charged in January this year with using insulting, threatening or abusive words that caused alarm or distress to a police officer during an incident in Twickenham, southwest London, on January 30 last year.

She pleaded not guilty to the offence at a court hearing in March, according to the Crown Prosecution Service, and is scheduled to appear at Wimbledon Magistrates Court in February 2025.

Both Chelsea and Football Australia have pledged to support their superstar striker throughout the trial.