Blackburn’s veteran midfielder Brett Emerton looks set to sign for Australian A-League side Sydney FC.
BBC Sport understands that the 32-year-old could sign a three-year deal as early as Thursday afternoon.
Rovers’ longest-serving player, Emerton’s current deal at Ewood Park expires in summer 2012, but the final year of it would be cancelled to enable him to join his hometown club.
The Australia international joined Blackburn from Feyenoord in 2003.
Brett Emerton
After Blackburn’s 3-1 Carling Cup win over Sheffield Wednesday, Rovers manager Steve Kean said: “With Brett there has been interest from his hometown club and we have had a bit of dialogue.
“If Brett does move it will be a family decision, not a football decision.
“If Brett decides it’s something he’d like to explore you’ve got to give respect for the service he’s given the club. If we do lose him it will be very, very sad.”
Emerton has made 247 appearances and scored 13 goals at the Premier League club.
Heis Australia’s second most-capped player on 87 appearances, three behind Fulham goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer. He is scheduled to play for the Socceroos in their World Cup qualifier against Thailand in Brisbane on 2 September.
His first appearance for the Sky Blues could be in a friendly against the Newcastle Jets on 17 September.
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Sydney FC have confirmed the signing of Blackburn midfielder Brett Emerton on a three-year deal.
Emerton, 32, was free to leave Rovers one year early after the Ewood Park side agreed to terminate his contract by mutual consent.
The veteran midfielder featured in Wendesday’s Carling Cup success over Sheffield Wednesday and the A-League club have also allowed him to play in Rovers’ Premier League clash against Everton on Saturday.
Emerton has thanked Blackburn for allowing him to move on and he is now excited about returning home to further his career.
“This is an exciting opportunity for me,” the ex-Feyenoord man told the club’s official website.
“I’m a Sydney boy and I’m looking forward to representing the people of Sydney every week and playing in front of friends, family and Sydney football fans.
“Football has been very good to me and I have always said I’d like to come back and play in the A-League while I still have something to offer and thanks to Sydney FC and Blackburn Rovers that opportunity has come about a bit earlier than I had thought.”
Sydney’s capture of Emerton caps an incredible week for the A-League after Melbourne Victory announced the signing of Harry Kewell.