Having spent his entire football career up to now in Britain, the 34-year-old appears set to wind it up Down Under after signing a two-year deal with the A-League newcomers.

Fowler, who has been designated as the marquee player for the Townsville-based club, admits it is likely to be his final contract as a player.

Former England striker Fowler told PA Sport: "I'm a realist and I'm obviously not getting any younger.

"You want to play for as long as you can and if that takes me to 36 and beyond, then we'll take that whenever it ends."

The example of Dwight Yorke being signed by Sunderland at the age of 34 after a successful stint at Sydney FC has proved the A-League is not a dead end for former Premier League stars - but Fowler feels his time in England's top flight may have passed.

He continued: "It's obviously possible because Dwight Yorke proved it but I'm not going to say that I'm using this as a stepping stone to get back.

"I would never do that and I'll only be adding more pressure to myself.

"In an ideal world you want to play in the best leagues and the best league, in my eyes, is probably the Premier League.

"Any player still wants and aspires to play there but my time has passed me by, I think."

Having nearly signed for Sydney two years ago, Fowler has kept close tabs on the A-League and is looking forward to finally playing in it when the season kicks off in August.

He added: "In the two years that I've watched it, it's progressed an awful lot.

"There are some very, very good players from very good teams and I also think it makes for an interesting league this year that there are two new franchises in it.

"Obviously I'm not as fit as I would like to be in terms of match fitness but I'm getting myself ready and I'm fit to play now.

"As long as I'm ready for our season, which starts over two months from now, then I'll play accordingly."

Fowler is expected to play his first match for the club on Sunday when they face S-League side Tampines Rovers in a friendly at the Jalan Besar Stadium in Singapore.