FIFA Goal of the Year contender Stephanie Roche has left French club Albi, after deciding not to return across the Channel after the Christmas break.
Roche, 25, will find out at a gala ceremony in Zurich next Monday whether or not she has pipped the likes of James Rodriguez and Robin van Persie to the Puskas Award for the best strike of the year.
She joined Albi last summer, but after spending the festive season in her native Ireland, and having struggled to settle due to homesickness and the language barrier, Roche has decided not to return and complete the last six months of her contract.
"I'm surprised, yes, because I didn't expect it," Abli president Bernard Espie told RMC after being informed by a French-speaking acquaintance of Roche of her decision.
"I thought she would finish her contract. I suspected that with all the attention she was getting we would have a problem matching her demands financially in the future.
"But she seemed to be OK here in Albi, even if it's true that she had difficulty settling, she was a little out on her own. But she improved game-after-game, and finished very strongly before the winter break."
Roche's incredible volley for Peamount United against Wexford Youths Women in October 2013 was witnessed by only 95 fans on the day, but has registered more than six million views on YouTube, and has given the Republic of Ireland international striker a global profile.
"Her departure is connected with what is happening to her right now," Albi coach David Welferinger told Le Tarn Libre. "She has had a lot of demands on her time in the last few weeks.
"I understand her choice even if it's sad. She had really improved since the start of the season. It also shows to the girls that Albi can be a springboard."