Liverpool have signed Sam Kerr on loan until the end of the season. Not to be confused with Australia and Chelsea forward of the same name, the midfielder joins Liverpool from Bayern Munich. Having moved to Germany from Rangers in 2023, Kerr won the Frauen-Bundesliga in her first season.
The Liverpool manager, Matt Beard, said: “We nearly had a deal done for Sam before she went to Bayern Munich. She’s a player we’ve watched from afar for a long time. We’re probably getting a more complete player now, a little bit older with experience of playing for one of the biggest European women’s football teams.”
Kerr began her senior career with the SWPL 2 side Central Girls Football Academy, based in Grangemouth, before she was poached by Scotland’s most-decorated side, Glasgow City, in 2016, where she won four league titles. She joined Rangers in 2021 and helped the side to its first SWPL 1 title in 2022 and a maiden Scottish Women’s Cup in 2023.
“I’m really excited for my time here,” said Kerr. “I spoke to Matt and the club and I love their ambitions and am really excited to get started. I feel like my career in the last few years has really changed a lot. Moving to Germany was a challenge in itself, being in that intense environment with world-class players has been really good for my development.”
Having represented her country at under-15, nder-17 and nder-19 levels, Kerr won her first senior cap for Scotland in 2020 and is now a regular in the team. She was named Scotland’s player of the year in 2022. “With the national team, I’ve grown into the role and I’m hoping to bring my experience and the things I’ve learned over the last couple of years to Liverpool,” said Kerr.
On what she will bring to Liverpool and the WSL, she said: “I think I can bring some leadership qualities, a lot of energy and passion, and bring that on the pitch in every game and every training session.”
Meanwhile, Everton have signed Wales international Hayley Ladd from Manchester United for an undisclosed fee.
Ladd has 90 caps for her country and will provide versatility to Brian Sørensen’s squad given she can operate in both defence and midfield. “I’m just really excited to be here and to get going,” said the 31-year-old. “It’s an amazing club with a big history, especially in the women’s game. It’s a real privilege and a pleasure to be here. The squad, first of all, looks really competitive and there are obviously loads of top players. With Brian, he’s really impressive. I think he’s got clear ideas of how he wants to play.”
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Ladd previously spent time at Arsenal, Coventry City, Bristol City, Birmingham City and Finnish side Kokkola Futis 10 prior to joining United, where she won the club’s player of the season award for the 2019-20 campaign. She is also Everton’s fourth signing of the transfer window, following the arrival of Kelly Gago, as well as the loan arrivals of Spain under-23s defender Martina Fernández and teenage prospect Emma Watson.
“Hayley is a player who we believe can bring a lot to our squad – both with her experience in the dressing room and versatility on the field,” said Sørensen. “We’ve had a strong start to the January transfer window and I’m very pleased to see Hayley become our newest signing.”
