Chipperfield nearly joined North Queensland Fury but the club pulled out of negotations after talks dragged on beyond heir deadline and it became clear he was also being wooed by rival clubs.

He has also been linked with a move to Newcatsle Jets and Central Coast Mariners, while Perth Glory were also said to be interested in snapping him up.

But now the towering leftback is set to disappoint all the local teams to stay in Europe for one more season in the lead up to the World Cup and keep his place in the Socceroos safe.

"Career-wise, maybe it might be a year too early as I want to play the World Cup and I may have more chance of being selected by staying in Europe one year more," he admitted to the Illawarra Mercury.

Along with wife Stefanie, the dad of two toddlers, aged five and one, wants to return to be close to his Wollongong-based family when he does come back to play in Australia.

"I think family-wise it is time to move back, the kids are at the right age where they will settle in easily and the lifestyle with the sun and beaches would be good," he said.

"We decided if we move back then we want to be close to Wollongong - that way we can go to Wollongong on free days and it's easy for family and friends to come and watch games.

"Hopefully we can get an A-League team in Wollongong soon and most of the players come back."

Chipperfield is still considering the offers from the Jets and Mariners but it looks increasingly unlikely he will take them up in case it jeopardises his World Cup place.

"I have briefly spoken about it but Pim has also made it clear in his interviews that he would prefer the players to remain in Europe," he added..

"Both teams have expressed an interest and put forward an offer. It's just a matter of deciding whether I would come back this year or not and which team I think I will fit in best with.

"If I don't come back to Australia this year, then it will definitely be next year."