Matildas’ Kellond-Knight open on next move

The Matildas star was refused a W-League homecoming but won’t be denied a strong preparation leading into the World Cup.

Matildas star Elise Kellond-Knight was stuck in Germany when she wanted to be playing in the W-League

Matildas star Elise Kellond-Knight was refused a W-League homecoming this summer but says she won’t be denied a strong preparation leading into the Women’s World Cup.

Kellond-Knight is in Portugal with the Matildas, preparing to play Norway in the Algarve Cup opener this morning (AEDT).

At tournament’s end she’ll be a free agent after winning a release from Germany’s Turbine Potsdam. The Queenslander had asked for a release before Christmas, which the Frauen-Bundesliga club denied.

“My plan was to play in the W-League. Unfortunately, due to contractual problems, it didn’t happen,” Kellond-Knight said. “With time the club realised when a player’s not happy they can’t perform.”

The 27-year-old Matildas favourite — affectionately known to all as KK — contributed to three campaigns in Brandenburg but had run her course given the demands of the 10-month season which made playing in the W-League impossible.

“I had 2½ years only in Germany with a handful of days at home. That eventually takes its toll,” she said. “You start to feel really isolated with the culture, language, distance. My feelings built up and I got to the point where I had to change something. You can’t just keep running against that wall so I made that decision.”

National team coach Alen Stajcic empathised. “Once you’ve been on that merry-go-round you do need a bit of a break,” he said. “We’re so conditioned to men’s football that we don’t understand what women go through.”

The big question for KK is what’s next? The National Women’s Soccer League in the United States is possible, although the timing of her release brings its challenges.

“There is interest there but finding an international spot is a little bit tricky,” she said.

“The transfer window in Sweden is still open. Japan is possible too. Of course a last resort, returning to Australia ... doing a combination of training with Brisbane Roar’s youth team and playing with the Matildas.”

Stajcic said Kellond-Knight would be looked after. “All the ones that are staying at home this year, we’ll provide that,” he said.

AAP