Sam Kerr's partner Kristie Mewis let go by West Ham United
The 34-year-old partner of Matildas superstar Sam Kerr confirmed the split with a heartfelt post on social media.
'Even though my time at West Ham was not what I envisioned, I still learned so much and met so many amazing people,' she said.
'Everyone, but especially my teammates were incredibly supportive through my injury and pregnancy and I can't thank them enough for it. Nothing has been more important to me than football … but having my son has changed that
'Thank you @westhamwomen and thank you for helping me become a mom.'
After joining the club in 2023, Mewis only appeared in four matches with the Women's Super League outfit.
Mewis had just returned to the training track after giving birth to the couple's first child before the club announced the news.
'On behalf of everyone at the Club, I would like to thank Kristie for her contributions to West Ham United during her time in East London,' Club manager Rehanne Skinner said.
'Kristie has been unlucky with injuries since she joined us so probably hasn't played in the famous Claret and Blue as many times as she would have liked, but it's still been a total pleasure having someone of her calibre and experience within our team environment.
'As Kristie starts to navigate her new norm of motherhood, we fully appreciate that her priorities have changed and so, whatever the future has in store for her and her family, I would like to wish them all the very best.
Kerr and Mewis announced the birth of their son, Jagger, in May but their adorable news was quickly overshadowed by conservative politicians.
Family First national director Lyle Shelton used the opportunity to slam the pair's decision, claiming by raising Jagger they are 'depriving' the child of his 'human rights'.
'A baby is born – but where's dad?' Shelton wrote alongside a picture of the loved-up couple with their newborn.
'Family First congratulates Sam Kerr and Kristie Mewis on the birth of their son – but we must speak a truth too many are afraid to say.
'No child should be deliberately deprived of their father. Children aren't lifestyle accessories – they're human beings with rights.'
It's not the first time the couple have been targeted by hatred and homophobia on social media with the backlash pouring in when Kerr announced in December their family would be expanding.
Kerr and Mewis have been together since 2021 and got engaged in 2023.
It is understood the pair met around six months after the Matildas captain had moved to London in 2019, to join Women's Super League (WSL) giant Chelsea.
Speaking about how they met during Kerr's recent high-profile court case, where the Matildas forward was cleared of the racially aggravated harassment of a British police officer, the five-time WSL winner revealed the American footballer had 'slid into her DMs' during lockdown and shortly after they began dating.
And while off-the-field life is better than ever for Kerr, the Matildas star still continues to battle a troublesome ACL that has kept her off the football field since January 2024.
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