Now that the Kiwi club is out of the A-League finals following a 1-0 loss to Adelaide last Friday, Walsh, 31, is flying back to Miami to see family for the first time in four years.

It appears to signal the end of his A-League adventure for the talented yet enigmatic attacking midfielder.

“I’m done. There’s a big possibility of me finding a club there [in the US]. I’d be looking to play MLS,” the Brazil-born player told au.fourfourtwo.com.

Walsh wouldn’t count as a foreign player in the USA.

“I just got my residency back in the States. I have an agent who is looking for something there. If not, then the usual, which is looking for something in Asia,” he said

Diego signed for the NZ outfit after catching the eye with Adelaide United during the Reds' golden days in the Asian Champions League.

He joined the Reds in 2006 from Miami FC – where he played  alongside Brazilian legend Romario - and subsequently scored four goals from 13 games in the United side’s thrilling run to the 2008 ACL final.

And it was Walsh’s crucial first goal against Uzbekistan powerhouse Bunyodkor in the semi final second leg in Adelaide that helped push the Reds onto a famous 3-0 win.

Diego's second half goal was the catalyst for the win over the cashed up Uzbek side coached by legendary Zico and featuring Rivaldo in midfield.

Despite a subsequent loss in the final to a classy Gamba Osaka, Walsh has fond memories of the ACL and his time in general in the A-League.

“I got to travel all over Australia and Asia and played in the Asian Champions League twice. The whole time I was in Adelaide I just remember it being a winning team,” he said of an injury restricted period at Hindmarsh.

“Every time we stepped on the pitch we knew we could beat anyone. That whole feeling translated into the champions league where we made it all the way to the final.

“Playing against Rivaldo you could see he was a class above. Those were my great memories," he said.

However, at Phoenix for whatever reason, he failed to fit in. “It just didn’t work out for me. I didn’t fit in with the style of play," he said.

At the time Phoenix CEO Tony Pignata said the Red would provide some much-needed flair to the midfield. “He’s exactly the type of player we need,” he said.

But this season Walsh has been reduced to playing against amateur teams across New Zealand in the Phoenix reserve side. He’s made a total of 12 appearances for the club in two seasons.

“I was out of favour in the past year. It’s just how it goes sometimes. I can’t blame Ricki, that’s his decision," he said.

“If you look at Phoenix the way they play, they’re not a team that keeps the ball. For players who grew up in South America we play in a certain way.

“It’s a physical style of play. When you look at Phoenix play, we just run our asses off. It’s a very fit team. Some of the South American players aren’t used to that. Maybe that’s a reason.”

But Walsh – who has a business degree and started a Futsal academy with fellow Phoenix player Daniel during his time in the Kiwi capital - remained positive about the league’s progression.

“It’s a decent league that’s growing and getting better," he added. "Look at Brisbane, Adelaide and Central Coast. And it’s got everything to be a great league in the future.

“It’s still early days. The technical aspect has to get better but indeed it’s getting better and they’ve brought in some great imports this year.

“Football has its ups and downs. I’ll bounce back.”