Kerr started his career with
Newcastle United, but failed to hold down a regular first team place. Despite this, he won three caps for Scotland under the management of
Berti Vogts. When Kerr was released by Newcastle in 2004, he signed for his home town club
Motherwell. His career then suffered a major setback when he damaged an
anterior cruciate ligament in a pre-season friendly, causing him to be out of football for almost nine months. He finally made his debut for the club against
Aberdeen on 9 April 2005. After recovering from his injury, Kerr re-established his place in Motherwell's first-team squad, and he scored his first goal for the club with a spectacular strike in a 4–4 draw with
Celtic in July 2005. In 2007, Kerr left Motherwell and signed a two-year contract with
Hibernian. Kerr scored (what proved to be the winner in a 1–0 victory) on his debut for Hibernian against
Edinburgh derby rivals
Hearts on 6 August 2007. He played regularly under
John Collins, but found it harder to hold down a first team place under
Mixu Paatelainen and was released on 1 September 2008. It was reported by
BBC Sport in September 2008 that Kerr was in signing talks with
Major League Soccer club
Toronto FC. Kerr failed to agree terms with Toronto and then had unsuccessful trial periods with
Brighton & Hove Albion and
Oldham Athletic. Kerr told the
Daily Record during January 2009 that he may have to end his playing career due to his failure to find a new club since leaving Hibs. Soon afterwards, however, new
Inverness Caledonian Thistle manager
Terry Butcher invited Kerr on trial and he was signed on 2 February. He made his debut for Inverness against former side
Hibernian in a 2–0 win and scored his first goal against
Hamilton. Inverness were relegated on the last day of the season and Kerr was subsequently released by the club. On 29 June 2009, Kerr signed a contract with
Dundee. He scored his first and what turned out to be only goal for Dundee against former club Inverness Caledonian Thistle on 6 March 2010. On 15 October 2010, Kerr had his contract terminated by Dundee due to the club entering
administration. Kerr signed for
Arbroath in July 2011. At Arbroath he scored once in a 4–2 win over
Ayr United. He left the club in 2013. ==Coaching career==