Chris Killen says returning home to play for the Wellington Phoenix would be the "icing on the cake'' of his professional career, but the club's new owners will have to shell out some serious cash to lure the All Whites striker from China.

The 30-year-old attended Rongotai College and played for Miramar Rangers before embarking on a career which has included stints at Manchester City, Celtic and Middlesbrough.

Currently on holiday in England with his wife and daughter, Killen will return to his Chinese club, Shenzhen Ruby, next week and discuss his future with management.

Shenzhen have been relegated from the Chinese Super League and Killen wants to be reassured that the club is serious about bouncing straight back up to the top flight next season.

"I'll have some discussions with the club and really just see what their plan is,'' Killen said.

"Have they got ambition to get straight back up? If they have then maybe I'll stay, but if they don't seem too bothered and don't really have too much drive or ambition then I might have to look to go elsewhere.''

Phoenix and All Whites coach Ricki Herbert is monitoring the situation, but Killen admitted the A-League club would have to dig deep into its pockets to match the money on offer in China.

"I certainly haven't moved to China for nothing and the deal was pretty good for me to not turn down. The financial aspect of moving to China was a big factor in us going there."

Killen said he kept in touch with Herbert, but there had been no formal discussions.

"It's something I'd never rule out but I think it's got to start from the Phoenix first. We've spoken before on occasion about the possibility of it happening. The new owners, it seems to be a bit more stable now and my mum and dad are season ticket holders.

"To come back home and finish up there, yeah, that's the icing on the cake for the end of your football career.''

While Shenzhen struggled on the park last season, Killen said he was enjoying life off it. He scored nine goals in 20 starts, not a bad effort considering he played out of position in midfield for the first half of the season.

"It's a pretty laid-back life and we've got a maid, a driver, everything is first class for us. Towards the back end of the season I had a good run of form and scored a few goals.''