The 32-year-old defensive midfielder has only managed 45 appearances for Rovers since joining the club from Torino in 2008 with injury ruining his time in England.

Grella's four-year contract with Blackburn expires at the end of this season and the Melbourne-born man, who has an Italian wife, has revealed his next move will be Italy where he spent a decade after joining Empoli from Carlton in 1998.

“I will be released in June, next year I will return to play in Italy,” Grella said in an interview with Tuttosport.

During Grella's 10 years in Italy he played for Empoli, Ternana, Parma and Torino although his next Italian destination isn't clear at this stage.

Grella, who only managed two appearances for Rovers during the 2011-12 season, was linked with MLS club Houston Dynamo last month by the Daily Mail.