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

Sam Kerr had Chelsea fans fearing the worst after releasing a fake exit announcement moments before clarifying she is staying at the club.

Kerr, 30, signed a two-year contract extension with the Blues on Thursday in a major boost for the Matildas captain who has struggled this season with injury issues and a court ordeal.

There had been doubts surrounding her future in west London, with her previous contract expiring this summer, and Kerr leant into that with a duplicitous announcement, taking inspiration from Jurgen Klopp's bombshell Liverpool exit interview earlier this year.

'Things that will stick with me the most will be the memories shared with fans and my teammates,' she said in the video that sent fans into a spin.

But just 20 minutes later, Chelsea confirmed the video was a hoax and that Kerr was not going anywhere.

Daily Mail Australia understands that the idea for the major announcement twist was Kerr's.

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

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

'I honestly don't understand,' said one fan account.

Another added: 'Jesus wtf?!!! Are you crazy!!!'

A more reflective fan said: 'Another gone... thanks for the memories Sam. All the best.' 

After the U-turn was confirmed, fans weren't best pleased at having their stress levels go through the roof for that short 20-minute spell.

'Don't ever try that again in your life,' said one fan. 

'I dont even know what to say, but please don't leave us confused like that again,' said the same fan account that revealed 'I don't understand' earlier. 

A third fan said: 'Never do that again please. All the rivals celebrating her leaving haha bet they ain’t laughing now.'

Kerr has had a tricky time away from the pitch, pleading not guilty to a charge of racially aggravated harassment of a police officer arising from an alleged incident in Twickenham, south-west London on January 30, 2023.

She was hit with another setback when her defence team's efforts to have the charge thrown out failed, leaving her to face a four-day trial in February next year.

The Matildas skipper has been sidelined since picking up a serious knee injury in January, robbing her of the chance to play as Chelsea won the Women's Super League title for a fifth straight year. 

Her ruptured anterior cruciate ligament crushed her dream of representing Australia at the Paris Olympics in July, with her omission from the team officially confirmed in May. 

In the meantime, Kerr is enjoying a summer break away from the pitch.

She jetted off to Mexico for a luxury holiday with her fiancee and fellow footballer Kristie Mewis, spending time at a top resort in Los Cabos. 

The Viceroy hotel boasts incredible views of the Sea of Cortez, five picturesque swimming pools, state-of-the art rooms overlooking the water, a rooftop bar and several gourmet dining options. 

Last month, Kerr and Mewis treated their social media followers to glimpses of their stylish vacation, showing them getting dressed to the nines for a meal, lounging about in their room, riding ponies and even watching a performance by a performer who dances with fire while being twirled around by her hair. 

One clip from Mewis's TikTok shows her dancing as she puts on make-up before going out, with Kerr entering the room and flashes the engagement ring she publicly debuted back in April.

Kerr repeatedly captioned photos of the hotel with the words 'in paradise' as she posted shots of her fiancee taking in the surrounds.