Kewell was in negotiations with Turkish club Galatasaray for an extension of his contract when the previous two year deal ended after the World Cup.

Harry, 31, wanted another two year deal but ended up settling for a 12 month contract worth a reported €1.08 million upfront and a further €30,000 a week.

However he now appears to have been within a whisker of signing for an un-named US club - possibly Kansas City Wizards - and his family were all set to uproot to join him at last.

Until now, Harry has been living and working in Turkey while his family remain in the UK, allowing wife Sheree, 34, to maintain her acting career.

After a long-running part in countryside soap Emmerdale, the mum of three recently moved to join the cast of funky young drama Hollyoaks as the pin-up mum of one of the teenage characters.

But last week it was reported she had quit the soap, allegedly in dispute with scriptwriters over her character's role.

This week though she denied any row but admitted she had walked out on the soap to join Harry at his new club in the US.

But as he has now opted to stay with Galatasaray, she said she was now going to return to Hollyoaks after taking a short break,

She added: "Sadly, because we thought that my husband's football career was going to take us to the States, I was unable to sign another contract with Hollyoaks.

"However, our circumstances have now changed and I've told Paul Marquess, the producer, that if storylines allow, I would love to continue."

Hollyoaks boss Marquess added: "I'm a huge fan of Sheree's.

"Sheree will be taking a little break on screen because of her family commitments, but we're already thinking about how we'll bring her back."