Over the weekend, Melbourne Victory revealed the Socceroo legend would not be returning to the club after his successful first season with the club.

Today Kewell’s wife Sheree Murphy said her mother’s health situation was of serious concern and was the reason why the family have moved back to the UK after one season in Australia.

She revealed news had come through that her mother became sick with a rare form of cancer just weeks into the family’s arrival in Australia last year.

“Everything that could go wrong with my mum’s treatment did...she had a real battle and is still fighting,” Murphy wrote on her Twitter feed today.

“I don't want to go into too much detail as my mum is a very private person. As a family we have thought very long and hard about what to do

“But I knew my mum needed me. So we decided as a family that we would stay in the UK so I can take care of my mum...it's not been an easy decision, especially for Harry.”

Kewell made a swift return to the UK just hours after the Socceroos’ recent clash with Japan in Brisbane on June 12.

“Family will always come first over any job and I'm sure most of you will agree with me,” she added.

And Murphy said that Kewell and her family had enjoyed living in Melbourne and being part of the A-League.

“We want to thank all the Melbourne victory fans for your amazing support. Harry will never forget the greeting you gave him at the airport,” she wrote.

“We had a taste of the lifestyle and loved it. We made some wonderful friends in Melbourne and will cherish our time we had out there.

“It was a big ambition for him to come back 'home' and play and as a family we were all very much looking forward to living the Aussie life.”

It’s unclear at this stage which club Kewell will join in England, but he has been linked with newly-relegated Championship side Blackburn Rovers.