The 36-year-old - who has represented his country on 68 occasions - recently left Swiss outfit FC Basel after 11 years, seven league titles and six Swiss Cups.

Earlier this month, Chipperfield signed a short-term deal with Tarrawanna in the Illawarra Premier League as he prepared to return to Australia.

It was widely expected that at the conclusion of his short-term contract with Tarrawanna, he would sign with an A-League club, tipped to be the newly formed Western Sydney Wanderers.

But Chipperfield revealed on Twitter on Tuesday night that he would remain in Switzerland and play amateur football.

"I have decided to retire from pro football and will sign with an amateur team in Basel," Chipperfield wrote.

"Would have loved to have played for West Sydney in their debut season but due to family reasons I will stay. Been lucky to have had a long and successful career. Look forward to a new challenge."

In responses to fans, Chipperfield revealed he had spoken to Wanderers coach Tony Popovic about joining the club and said he 'would have liked to have worked with him'.

The versatile player also said he would sign on Wednesday with a team in the country's third tier.

The news is a blow to Wanderers FC who have so far only officially signed three players - Aaron Mooy, Tarek Elrich and Kwabena Appiah-Kubi - with the season just three months away from beginning.