Sam Kerr is an Australian soccer player who is considered one of the best strikers of all time. She has played in different leagues around the world and has broken many records in football. She is known for her athleticism, power, speed, and celebration style.
Wiki/Biography
Samantha May Kerr OAM (popularly known as Sam Kerr) was born on Friday, 10 September 1993 (age 30 years; as of 2023) in East Fremantle, Perth, Western Australia, Australia. Her zodiac sign is Virgo.
Sam Kerr (in pink) with her siblings during her childhood
She attended Samson Primary School in Samson for her primary schooling. She later attended Somerville Baptist College (now Kennedy Baptist College) for her secondary schooling. She was interested in sports since her childhood and used to play Australian Rules Football (similar to rugby); however, she often got injured with cuts and bruises, hence when she was twelve, her parents did not allow her to play it further. She met Perth Glory striker Bobby Despotovski, who was impressed by Kerr’s athleticism and speed when she was 13 years old and started playing football (soccer).
Sam Kerr during her rugby playing days
Physical Appearance
Height (approx.): 5′ 6″
Weight (approx.): 55 kg
Hair Colour: Black
Eye Colour: Black
Family
She belongs to a family of sportspersons.
Parents & Siblings
Her father’s name is Roger Kerr, a former Australian Rules Football (similar to rugby) player, and her mother’s name is Roxanne Regan. She is the youngest of four siblings including two brothers named Daniel Kerr and Levi Kerr and one sister named Madeline Kerr. Daniel is a former Australian Rules Football player.
Sam Kerr with her father, Roger Kerr, and mother, Roxanne Regan
Sam Kerr with her brother, Daniel Kerr
Wife & Children
She is unmarried and has no children.
Relationships/Affairs
She dated the American soccer player and her Chicago Red Stars teammate, Nikki Stanton, for around 7 years from 2014 to 2021.
Sam Kerr with Nikki Stanton (in black)
In 2021, she started dating another American soccer player named Kristie Mewis.
Sam Kerr with Kristie Mewis (in black and green)
Gender Identity & Sexual Orientation
Sam Kerr identifies herself as a queer. She likes to date girls.
Ethnicity
Sam Kerr has Anglo-Indian roots as her father was born to an Indian mother and a British father in Kolkata, India. Her mother is of Australian descent.
Nationality
She is an Australian citizen.
Autograph
Sam Kerr’s autograph
Career
Club
Western Knights
She played for the junior team at Western Knights from 2006 to 2008.
Sam Kerr during her early soccer playing days
Perth Glory
First Stint
In 2008, she moved to Perth Glory where she played as a winger. She played her debut match for Perth Glory in the 2009 W-League season on 5 December 2009 against Melbourne Victory. She played her last match on 29 January 2011 against Canberra United during the 2011 W-League season.
Sam Kerr in Perth Glory jersey
Second Stint
She returned to Perth Glory in the 2014 W-League season and played her first match on 14 September 2014 against Brisbane Roar. She scored a hattrick against Newcastle Jets on 16 December 2017, against Canberra United on 20 January 2018 and against Melbourne Victory. On 10 February 2019. She played her final match for Perth Glory on 16 February 2019 against Sydney FC.
Sam Kerr during a match for Perth Glory during her second stint at the club
Sydney FC
She debuted for Sydney FC on 21 October 2012 against Newcastle Jets in the 2012 W-League season and scored two goals in the match. On 22 December 2013, during the match against Brisbane Roar, she was given two yellow cards (which became a red card) for the first time in her club career. She played her last match for Sydney FC on 16 February 2014 against Melbourne Victory during the 2013 W-League season.
Sam Kerr (right) during her Sydney FC playing days
Western New York Flash
On 15 April 2013, she made her debut for Western New York Flash against Gotham FC in the 2013 NSWL (National Women’s Soccer League) season. She later changed her playing position to the striker. On 2 May 2023, during the match against Gotham FC, she received her first yellow card of club career. She played her last match on 17 August 2014 against Chicago Red Stars in the 2014 NSWL season.
Sam Kerr during her playing days for Western New York Flash
NJ/NY Gotham FC (Formerly Sky Blue FC)
She played her debut match for NJ/NY Gotham FC on 12 July 2015 in the 2015 NSWL season. On 9 July 2017, she scored the first hattrick of her club career against FC Kansas City. On 20 August 2017, she scored 4 goals in a match against OL Reign. On 1 October 2017, she played her last match for NJ/NY Gotham FC against the Boston Breakers.
Sam Kerr during her playing days for NJ-NY Gotham FC, Formerly Sky Blue FC
Chicago Red Stars
On 29 April 2018, she made her debut for the Chicago Red Stars against the Washington Spirit. On 8 July 2018, she scored a hattrick against NJ/NY Gotham FC followed by a hattrick against Orlando Pride on 1 July 2019. She played her last match for them on 28 October 2019 against North Carolina Courage.
Sam Kerr during her playing days for the Chicago Red Stars
Chelsea
She debuted for Chelsea on 5 January 2020 against Reading in the 2019-20 FA WSL (FA Women’s Super League). On 6 December 2020, she scored a hattrick against West Ham United. She scored a hattrick against Bristol City on 14 March 2021, against Birmingham City on 4 April 2021 and 21 November 2021 and against Liverpool on 29 January 2023. She scored 4 goals in a match against Vilaznia on 27 October 2022 and against West Ham United on 10 February 2023.
Sam Kerr celebrating after scoring her first hattrick for Chelsea in the Champions League
International
Under-17 & Under-20
She played for Australia’s Under-17 and Under-20 teams from 2008 to 2009.
Sam Kerr (right) during her playing days for Australia Under-17
Senior
She made her debut for Australia on 7 February 2009 in a friendly match against Italy. In May 2010, she helped Australia to win the 2010 AFC Women’s Asian Cup by scoring her first goal for Australia against South Korea on 21 May 2010. On 31 July 2017, she scored her first hattrick for Australia against Japan in a match in the Tournament of Nations. On 21 September 2021, she became the 10th Australian player to play 100 matches for Australia. On 21 January 2022, during the match against Indonesia in the 2022 AFC Women’s Asian Cup, she scored 5 goals, becoming the highest Australian goalscorer (male or female) by breaking Tim Cahill’s record of 50 goals, in only 105 matches.
Sam Kerr (in yellow) during a match for Australia
FIFA World Cup
She made her World Cup debut on 29 June 2011 against Brazil in the 2011 FIFA Women’s World Cup held in Germany. She later played in the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup held in Canada. She was named as Captain for the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup held in France. On 9 June 2019, she scored her first World Cup goal against Italy. On 19 June 2019, she scored 4 goals against Jamaica and became the first Australian player to score a hattrick in the World Cup and 10th to score four goals. She played in the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup held in Australia and New Zealand.
Sam Kerr during different FIFA Women’s World Cups
Olympics
On 21 July 2021, she made her Olympic debut against New Zealand, in the 2020 Olympics, held in Tokyo in 2021 and scored her first Olympic goal in the match. On 5 August 2021, she became the highest goalscorer for Australia in the bronze-medal match against the USA which Australia lost.
Sam Kerr in the Australian jersey during the Olympics
Celebration Style
She is known for her unique celebration of backflip after scoring a goal, which has often been compared to Cristiano Ronaldo‘s celebration style. She revealed in an interview that she copied her celebration style from a rugby player.
Sam Kerr doing a backflip to celebrate a goal
Jersey Number
Her jersey number for Australia and Chelsea is 20.
Sam Kerr’s jersey number, 20
Records
Australia
- All-time leading Australian international female scorer: 63 (Since 5 August 2021)
- All-time leading Australian international scorer: 63 (Since 12 April 2023)
- All-time leading Australian international female scorer at the Olympics: 7 (Since 2020 Tokyo Olympics)
- Most goals scored in a calendar year: 12 (2022)
- First Australian football player to score a hat-trick at a World Cup: 2019
- Most consecutive games scored in: 7 (from 30 July 2017 to 28 February 2018)
W-League
- Most goals in a season: 17 (2018–19)
- Fastest hat-trick: 7 minutes (16 December 2017 vs Newcastle Jets)
- Most ‘Golden Boot’ awards: 2 (2017–18 and 2018–19)
National Women’s Soccer League
- All-time leading scorer: 77 (Since 8 July 2017)
- First player to score 50 goals: 9 June 2018
- First teenager to score a goal: April 2013
- Most goals in a season: 18 (2019)
- Most shots on target in a season: 54 (2017)
- Most hat-tricks in a season: 2 (2017)
- Most consecutive seasons to score at least 10 goals: 3 (2017 to 2019)
- Most consecutive seasons to score at least 15 goals: 3 (2017 to 2019)
- First Australian international to play 100 regular season games
- Most ‘Most Valuable Player’ awards: 2 (2017, 2019)
- Most ‘Golden Boot’ awards: 3 (2017, 2018, 2019)
FA Women’s Super League
- Most goals in a full-season debut: 21 (2020–21)
- Most goals in a calendar year: 23 (2021)
- Most number of teams scored against in a season: 10 (2021–22)
- Most hat-tricks against a single club: 2 (vs Birmingham City)
- Most first-half hat-tricks: 2
- First player to score against every team played against (2 September 2020 vs Everton)
- Most goals scored as headers in one season: 9 (2020–21)
- First player to score at least 20 goals in consecutive seasons: 2020–21 to 2021–22
- Most consecutive seasons to score at least 20 goals: 2 (2020–21 to 2021–22)
- Most ‘Golden Boot’ awards: 2 (2020–21 to 2021–22)
Sam Kerr with the Golden Boot award for Chelsea
- Most goals across all competitions in a season: 32 (2021–22)
UEFA Women’s Champions League
- Most goals in a group stage game: 4
Perth Glory
- All-time leading scorer: 57 (Since 2014)
Sky Blue FC
- All-time leading scorer: 28 ( Since 28 June 2017)
Chicago Red Stars
- All-time leading scorer: 35 ( Since 20 October 2019)
Chelsea
- Most consecutive games scored in: 7 (26 February 2022 to 3 April 2022)
Other
- Most goals in a FIFA Women’s World Cup game: 4, 2019
- Only football player to win the Golden Boot in 3 different leagues/continents: W-League (Australia): 2017–18, 2018–19, NWSL (North America): 2017, 2018, 2019, and FA WSL (Europe): 2020–21, 2021–22
- First Australian female football player to be nominated for the Ballon d’Or
- First Australian football player to place in the top 3 of the Ballon d’Or: 2021
- First Australian football player to place in the top 3 of The Best FIFA Player: 2021
- First Australian to win PFA Players’ Player of the Year: 2022
- First West Australian-born female recipient of the Key to the City of Perth: 2022
- First female footballer to be chosen to be on the cover of a FIFA video game: FIFA 23
Tournaments Won
Sydney FC
- W-League Championship: 2012–13
Western New York Flash
Perth Glory
- W-League Premiership: 2014
Chelsea
- FA Women’s Super League: 2019–20, 2020–21, 2021–22, 2022–23
- Women’s FA Cup: 2020–21, 2021–22, 2022–23
- FA Women’s League Cup: 2019–20, 2020–21
- FA Women’s Community Shield: 2020
Australia
- AFF U-16 Women’s Championship: 2009
- AFC Women’s Asian Cup: 2010
Awards, Honours, Achievements
W-League
- W-League Player’s Player of the Year: 2009, 2014
- W-League Goal of the Year: 2009, 2016–17
- FFA Female U20 Footballer of the Year: 2010, 2014
- PFA Australian Women’s Footballer of the Year: 2013, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2022
- Julie Dolan Medal: 2016–17, 2017–18
- PFA W-League Team of the Season: 2016–17, 2017–18, 2018–19
- W-League Golden Boot: 2017–18, 2018–19
- Football Media Association International Player of the Year: 2013, 2014
NSWL
- NWSL Player of the Week: 2013: Week 9; 2016: Week 18; 2017: Week 9, 12, 17; 2018: Week 15, 22
- NWSL Player of the Month: 2017: May, June, 2018: August 2019: May
- NWSL Team of the Month: 2017: May, June, July, August; 2018: July, August; 2019: April, May, September
- NWSL Golden Boot: 2017, 2018, 2019
- NWSL Most Valuable Player Award: 2017, 2019
- NWSL Best XI: 2017, 2018, 2019
- Best NWSL Player ESPY Award: 2019
FA WSL
- UK Young Achiever Award: 2021
- FA Women’s Super League Player of the Month: April 2021, April 2022
- FA Women’s Super League Golden Boot: 2020–21, 2021–22
- PFA WSL Fans’ Player of the Month: March 2021, April 2022
- PFA WSL Team of the Year: 2020–21, 2021–22
- UEFA Women’s Champions League Squad of the Season: 2020–21
- London Football Awards FA Women’s Super League Player of the Year: 2022
- Football Writer’s Association Women’s Footballer of the Year: 2021–22, 2022–23
- Women’s Super League Player of the Season: 2021–22
- Women’s Super League Goal of the Season: 2021–22
- PFA Players’ Player of the Year: 2022
Sam Kerr’s Player of the Year award
- PFA WSL Fans’ Player of the Year: 2020–21, 2021–22
- Chelsea Women’s Player of the Year: 2021–22, 2022–23
- The Athletic WSL Player of the Year: 2021–22
- The Athletic WSL Team of the Year: 2020–21, 2021–22
- GiveMeSportW (GMS) Fans’ WSL Player of the Season: 2021–22
Australia
- Asian Women’s Footballer of the Year: 2017
- ABC Sport Personality of the Year: 2017
- IFFHS Women’s World Team of the Year: 2017, 2021
- Young Australian of the Year: 2018
Sam Kerr with the Young Australian of the Year award
- The 100 Best Female Footballers In The World Winner: 2019
- ESPY Awards Best International Women’s Soccer Player: 2018, 2019, 2022
- IFFHS AFC Women’s Team of the Decade: 2011–2020
- IFFHS AFC Women’s Player of the Year: 2021
- IFFHS AFC Women’s All-time Women’s Dream Team: 2021
- IFFHS World’s Best International Goal Scorer: 2022
- Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM): 2022
- AFC Women’s Asian Cup Golden Boot: 2022
- Key to the City of Perth: 2022
- FIFA FIFPRO Women’s World 11: 2022
- Australian flag-bearer for the coronation of Charles III and Camilla: 2023
Sam Kerr carrying the Australian flag during the coronation of Charles III and Camilla
Brand Endorsements
Sam Kerr has brand endorsement deals with many brands including Nike (for 13 years), EA Sports, Powerade, and MasterCard.
Income
In 2022, she earned around $3.4 million from her contracts and endorsement deals including around $600,000 from her season contract with Chelsea and around $1 million from her deal with Nike.
Tattoos
She has an eagle tattoo on her right wrist.
Sam Kerr’s eagle tattoo
Favourites
- Footballer (Soccer Player): Ronaldo (Brazil)
- English Food: Cottage pie and Roast dinner
- Tourist Destination(s): Croatia, Cannes, Bali
- Singer: Drake, Justin Bieber, Flume
- Film: Law Abiding Citizen
Facts/Trivia
- In an interview, she disclosed that she used to hide her gender during her childhood when she played American Rules Football (rugby) with boys in the neighbourhood; however, when the boys later came to know that she was a girl, they did not play with her.
- Although she did not play American Rules Football (rugby) after she was 12 years old, she still watches matches during her free leisure time. She was the number one ticket holder of the West Coast Eagles team in 2019 and 2020.
- In 2021, she authored her debut book titled The Flip Out, which is part of her autobiographical children’s book series called Kicking Goals.
Sam Kerr showing her book after its release
- On 8 December 2021, during a match for Chelsea against Juventus, she knocked down a pitch invade in rugby style.
- In August 2023, she announced that she would launch her own football (soccer) academy for girls between 4 and 13 years of age.
- She is an animal lover and owns a pet dog named Billie and a pet cat named Helen.
Sam Kerr with her pet dog Billie
- She has been featured on the cover of many soccer video games and magazines including different editions of FIFA video games and Vogue Australia magazine.
Sam Kerr holding the FIFA video game with herself on the cover
- Sam Kerr’s idol is Australian runner Cathy Freeman, who won a gold medal in the 2000 Sydney Olympics.
- Sam Kerr suffers from Aerophobia, the extreme fear of flying.
- She revealed in an interview that she has two missing teeth as her incisors never grew, hence her canines are right next to her front teeth.
Sam Kerr’s teeth while she shows her Lego
- In an interview, Sam Kerr revealed her superstitions which include sitting on the same seat in the bus and the place. She also prefers to eat a spaghetti sandwich, which is plain bolognese pasta in a sandwich, every time before a match. She also wears the same pair of socks in the complete season, and she always keeps an eye on the socks as she does not like any thread to be out of socks.
Categories: Biography
Source: HIS Education