Chelsea win battle to sign Australian women's football icon Sam Kerr

Australian striker Sam Kerr will test herself at top level of European football after impressing in her homeland and United States as she joined Chelsea on Wednesday. 26-year-old Matildas captain -- who scored five times in this year's World Cup as Australians reached last 16 -- signed a two-and-a-half-year contract with Women's Super League club. Kerr, who has been a mainstay at Perth Glory since 2014 while also playing for Chicago Red Stars in United States, will be available for selection from January.

According to a report in Sydney Morning Herald last week it is believed Kerr -- who also attracted interest from  Lyon, Bayern Munich and Real Madrid -- will earn worth more than ?467,000 ($600,000) a year, t including potential bonuses. However, Kerr -- all-time leading scorer in Australian and American leagues -- said she felt Chelsea were a team that had laid a solid base for winning silverware.

READ | Spurs Eye AS Roma's Lorenzo Pellegrini To Replace Christian Eriksen: Report

" WSL is best league in Europe," she said. "I want team success and I don't want it to come easy. "I feel Chelsea have been building something special over years and I want to be a part of that -- I want to lift some trophies." Chelsea manr Emma Hayes said Kerr's decision showed that y were a marquee club. " fact she chose Chelsea when she could have gone to any club in world is a testament to players and staff here," said Hayes.

READ | Chelsea Coach Frank Lampard Imposes Strict Fines On His Young Squad, Claims Report

"Sam has proved time and time again in NWSL (National Women's Soccer League in USA) that she is a prolific goalscorer. "She's won golden boot many times and she's a player that can make things happen, but she's also a fantastic team player. "She saw this as best place for her to grow and take next step in her career. That's a wonderful compliment to us all."

Kerr, who has twice been shortlisted for FIFA Player of Year and is one of sport's biggest names, made her debut for Perth Glory at 15 and spent four years at club before moving to Sydney FC. She returned in 2014 for a second stint. Kwn for her pace, agility and heading ability, as well as her trademark backflip goal celebrations, she has also played in United States since 2013, first at Western New York Flash, n Sky Blue FC in New Jersey and Chicago. Kerr is ninth player from Australia to play in England, following likes of Emily Gielnik (Liverpool), Tanya Oxtoby (Doncaster Belles) and Caitlin Friend (tts County). 

READ | Willian Spills Beans On Why He Turned Down Barcelona For Chelsea In 2018

READ | Leicester City: Ben Chilwell, Caglar Soyuncu And Or Players On International Duty