Welsh captain Jessica Fishlock has signed with German champions 1. FFC Frankfurt on a one year contract.

While an excellent move for the 27 year old, the result is that the talismanic midfielder will not be returning for a third season with the defending W-League Champions Melbourne Victory.

“I am very happy to play the 2014/15 season for 1. FFC Frankfurt,” said Fishlock.

“It is a club with a high reputation and a long tradition. I feel honored to embark on this challenge and hope I can contribute to a successful season.”

In the past few seasons Fishlock has criss-crossed the globe playing with Cardiff City LFC, Bristol Academy WFC, AZ Alkmaar, Seattle Reign and Victory. Having completed her "unfinished business" last season, there were indications the midfielder would not be returning.

In the end, that non stop travel has taken a toll and influenced her decision to return to Europe.

"Personally it's closer to home for me and that was a part of my decision," Fishlock told the Women's Football Podcast.

"I've travelled a lot in the last few years and right now it's more important for me to be closer to home."

Arguably the best international to play in the W-League, the 2014 W-League Players' Player of the Year leaves a big hole, on and off the field, in the Victory squad which new coach Joe Montemurro will have to find a way to compensate for.

Montemurro is also set to be without a second international with Swedish defender Jessica Samuelsson looking to remain stay in Europe for their off-season, especially with the World Cup spot going on the line in the latter part of the year.

That is the same challenge that may be forced upon Sydney FC with early indications that Golden Boot winner Jodie Taylor too will not return.  Like Fishlock, Taylor, who is currently one of the leading strikers in the NWSL with the Washington Spirit, has spent the last few seasons globetrotting.

With England on the brink of World Cup qualification and after earning her first cap just this month, the 28 year old also looks set to stay closer to home and push for inclusion in the 2015 World Cup squad.

While Canberra United are close to retaining all four internationals (Chantel Jones, Lori Lindsey, Stephanie Ochs and Kendall Fletcher), this season it appears that fewer internationals will be part of the competition.  This is both due to external factors and by the design of clubs with Perth Glory choosing to sign only one international.

How this affects the quality of the league will be interesting to observe.