Kiwi football fans will miss out on the chance to see Sam Kerr at Eden Park after she announced her departure from English club Chelsea.
The London-based club are confirmed to be heading to Auckland for an August fixture against an Auckland FC Women’s Invitational XI coached by former FootballFern Jenny Bindon.
The match is part of the New Zealand International Football Festival and follows Auckland FC’s match against Tottenham Hotspur on July 26.
Kerr announced she will leave Chelsea after six and a half years in a video posted to the club’s social media accounts today.
“Hi Chelsea fans, unfortunately, this is for real this time,” she said.
“I wanted you to hear it from me, but this Saturday will be my final game for Chelsea.
Sam Kerr has announced she will leave Chelsea at the end of the season. Photo / Getty Images
“I definitely don’t want this to be a sad conversation, I want it to be – not a celebration – but remember all the good times we’ve had together.
“It’s been an absolute honour to represent you guys for the last six and a half years and I’ve had the best memories and yeah, hopefully we can make one more amazing memory on Saturday, but I just wanted you guys to hear it first from me that, unfortunately, I will be leaving the club.
The Australian forward has won five English WSL titles, three FA Cups, three League Cups and the Community Shield with the Blues and is one goal short of Fran Kirby’s record 116 goals for Chelsea.
She has the chance to tie the record or beat it in her final match for the club against Manchester United this weekend.
Kerr scored in an FA Cup victory over Manchester United in February and Chelsea have not lost to their opponents in the three matches they have played this season.
It is unclear where the 32-year-old will play next, but reports have suggested a move to the National Women’s Soccer League in the United States is possible.
Despite this big-name departure from Chelsea, fans can still expect to see players such as Millie Bright, Lucy Bronze and Lauren James take the field at Eden Park in August.
