Sam Kerr Returns to NWSL with Gotham FC

Sam Kerr has made a name for herself as one of the premier forwards in women’s soccer, and her journey began in the NWSL. She joined the league in its inaugural season back in 2013 as a teenager and played three seasons with Gotham FC, originally known as Sky Blue. By the time she departed for England in 2019, she had two MVP awards and was the league’s all-time leading goalscorer. Since then, she has achieved further success with Chelsea and the Australian national team.

Now at 32, Kerr expressed a desire to return to the NWSL during her recent signing with Gotham, committing through 2030. “I always wanted to come back to the NWSL,” she said, noting that once she decided to leave Chelsea this summer, “it really was the only league for me.”

Her return wasn’t just a straightforward decision, though. With several clubs interested, the recruitment process took quite a while—around several months, she described it as “really difficult.” Ultimately, it was many little things that swayed her decision.

The President of Soccer Operations, Yael Apfelbusch-West, noted, “Sam could have played for any club in the world, but she chose Gotham.”

So, what attracted Kerr to Gotham? For one, the team’s ambitions resonate with her; she feels that Gotham is similar to Chelsea in terms of aspirations. “Gotham is probably the club that is most similar to Chelsea in what they want out of the season,” Kerr explained, referring to their goals of winning trophies and consistently being competitive.

Another factor is the talent on the roster. Kerr highlighted the quality of players, specifically mentioning star midfielder Rose Lovell as someone she was eager to play with. Apfelbusch-West indicated that discussions are already taking place to integrate Kerr with the current center forward, Esther González.

Kerr’s confidence in the coaching staff is also a reason for her move. She stated that she’s heard great things about Juan Carlos Amoros, adding that their tactical conversation impressed her. “When I play for a team that creates a lot of goal opportunities, that’s what you want,” she noted.

Much of Kerr’s signing credit goes to Apfelbusch-West, who had been in multiple discussions with both Kerr and her agent over the last six months. Kerr mentioned how significant that effort was in bringing her to Gotham.

Additionally, there’s her personal connection. Kerr is married to former USWNT midfielder Christie Muse, who played for Gotham for two seasons and had positive experiences there. This connection made the decision feel even more relevant.

And yes—financial considerations played a role too. Gotham had recently increased their allocation cash for salaries, allowing them to make a competitive offer. “It’s important to respect the players and be creative in our approach,” Apfelbusch-West remarked.

Lastly, Kerr couldn’t help but mention the chance to live in “the best city in the world.” That, coupled with everything else, made Gotham feel like the right fit for her return.