Chelsea and Australia striker Sam Kerr suffered an ACL injury at a warm-weather training camp in Morocco, Chelsea confirmed Jan. 7.
"Sam will be assessed by a specialist in the coming days and then begin her rehabilitation with the club's medical team," the club said in a statement.
Since signing with Chelsea in 2019, Kerr has scored 99 goals in 128 appearances and helped the current WSL leaders to win four WSL titles, three FA Cups, two Women's League Cups, and the Women's Community Shield.
Keep your head up, @SamKerr1.
We’re all with you. 💙 pic.twitter.com/m4m2U3K0Rc— Chelsea FC Women (@ChelseaFCW) January 7, 2024
The Matildas have also released a statement confirming that Kerr is ruled out of the rest of the WSL season as well as Australia's upcoming Olympic qualifiers set for February.
Head Matildas Coach Tony Gustavsson said, "Considering how hard Sam has worked over the past six months to return to play [after a calf injury during the World Cup], this news is a devastating blow for everyone."
"With her ability to lead by example, Sam's guidance and influence on the team is significant and, as a result, this will be an incredible loss for the national team."
"Our focus now is on ensuring she has all the support she wants and needs to navigate recovery and rehab."
Gutted for you, no words will help right now @samkerr1 but sending big love & wishing you a speedy recovery 💪🏼 ❤️ https://t.co/HY1y5Mqprq
— Beth Mead MBE (@bmeado9) January 7, 2024
Kerr is the latest in a long list of top female players sidelined with ACL injuries, including Beth Mead, Vivianne Miedema, and Catarina Macario, all of whom missed last summer's World Cup. Female athletes are two to eight times more likely to suffer ACL injuries as male athletes.
In December UEFA announced the creation of an expert panel to review the issue.
