Australian striker Sam Kerr will test herself at the top level of European football after impressing in her homeland and the United States as she joined Chelsea on Wednesday.

The 26-year-old Matildas captain – who scored five times in this year's World Cup as the Australians reached the last 16 – signed a two-and-a-half-year contract with the Football Association Women's Super League club.

Kerr, who has been a mainstay at Perth Glory since 2014 while also playing for Chicago Red Stars in the United States, will be available for selection from January.

According to a report in the Sydney Morning Herald last week it is believed Kerr – who also attracted interest from Lyon, Bayern Munich and Real Madrid – will earn worth more than £467,000 ($600,000) a year, not including potential bonuses.

However, Kerr – the all-time leading scorer in the Australian and American leagues – said she felt Chelsea were a team that had laid a solid base for winning silverware.

"The WSL is the best league in Europe," she said.

"I want team success and I don't want it to come easy.

"I feel Chelsea have been building something special over the years and I want to be a part of that – I want to lift some trophies."

Chelsea manager Emma Hayes said Kerr's decision showed that they were a marquee club.

"Sam has proved time and time again in the NWSL (National Women's Soccer League in the U.S.) that she is a prolific goalscorer.

Kerr, who has twice been shortlisted for FIFA Player of the Year and is one of the sport's biggest names, made her debut for Perth Glory at 15 and spent four years at the club before moving to Sydney FC.

Kerr is the ninth player from Australia to play in England, following the likes of Emily Gielnik (Liverpool), Tanya Oxtoby (Doncaster Belles) and Caitlin Friend (Notts County).