Inside how Sam Kerr duped Chelsea and Matildas fans by making bizarre fake announcement before confirming contract extension

Sam Kerr left Chelsea fans fearing the worst after releasing a fake exit announcement just before she made it clear she is staying at the club.

Kerr, 30, signed a two-year contract extension with the Blues on Thursday, a major boost for the Matildas captain, who has struggled with injuries and a lawsuit this season.

There were doubts about her future in west London with her previous contract set to expire this summer, and Kerr responded with a duplicitous announcement inspired by Jurgen Klopp’s exit interview at Liverpool earlier this year.

“What will stay with me most are the memories I share with the fans and my teammates,” she said in the video that thrilled fans.

But just 20 minutes later, Chelsea confirmed the video was a hoax and Kerr wasn’t going anywhere.

Daily Mail Australia understands the idea for the big announcement twist was Kerr’s.

Meanwhile, Chelsea have temporarily renamed Stamford Bridge and the Kingsmeadow training ground ‘Samford Bridge’ and ‘Kerrsmeadow’ respectively to celebrate the news.

Unsurprisingly, Blues fans were devastated by the initial announcement, taking to Twitter – now known as X – to express their disbelief.

“I honestly don’t understand,” one fan account said.

Another said: ‘Jesus wtf?1!! Are you crazy!!!’

Kerr has had a difficult time off the field, pleading not guilty to a charge of racially abusing a police officer following an alleged incident in Twickenham, South West London on January 30, 2023.

She suffered another setback when her defense team’s attempts to have the charges thrown out failed, forcing her to face a four-day trial in February next year.

More to follow.