Canberra's Laura Hughes freezes plans to play in Iceland amid coronavirus crisis

But once she's placed the final piece of the puzzle and run out of Monopoly money, the Canberra United midfielder is left to ponder what could have been.

Hughes had been close to finalising a deal with an Icelandic club before the global coronavirus pandemic put her plans on hold.

The NSW National Premier League was next on her hit list if her plans fell through. But Football Federation Australia's nationwide halt on organised competitions has also put those plans in jeopardy.

"I had a few options but the coronavirus has cut everything," Hughes said.

"I was hoping to play in Iceland and I did have a club, but now I can't get over there.

"It's a decent league and I wanted to throw myself into the deep end and get some experience playing overseas.

"Apart from that, I had been training with Sydney University because they have a good set-up, they're very professional and supportive.

"They had said, 'if you want to go overseas then go, but there's always a spot at Sydney University for you. So either way, I would have had a club here or overseas."

Former Canberra United players Jenna McCormick and Grace Maher have had stints in the Iceland, playing in the country's top tier competition Urvalsdeild kvenna.

Hughes would have become the fourth Canberra United player from last season to sign with a European club, joining Karly Roestbakken (LSK Kvinner), Nikola Orgill (Kolbotn) and Aoife Colvill (Glasgow City).

Northern Europe has become an attractive location for Australian players because their competitions usually fit within the W-League's schedule.

The Urvalsdeild kvenna season was scheduled to start on May 1 and finish in September.

Hughes plans to return to the W-League next season but admits she might not play for Canberra.

That decision rests on who Capital Football employ as the club's new head coach and whether they'd be interested in re-signing her.

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"I'm more of a one-club person, so I would prefer to play for Canberra throughout my career," Hughes said.

"But then other factors come into it like the coaching staff and who they want as their personnel.

"Hopefully I get along with the new coach and they're interested in signing me again. Otherwise, I'd be open to other W-League clubs."

Hughes accepted an offer to study exercise physiology at the University of Canberra but deferred the course to take a gap year.

With no work nor football to play, the 18-year-old Canberran has been isolated at home with her parents.

Canberra United has given Hughes and other local players conditioning programs to do by themselves while football is temporarily suspended.

"It's hard to replicate match fitness which is a pain and with the gyms closing, I have no weights," Hughes said.

"I've been trying to get weights but it's nearly impossible, it's either all sold out or is going to take three-to-four months to deliver.

"So, I've been planning my own field sessions wherever I can and I've had a few kicks with Karly [Roestbakken].

"It's more motivational to go with someone else because they push you a bit more.

"Especially with the isolated running we have to do, it's hard to do that by yourself. It's easier to cut corners but I try to do it properly.

"It's easier to train with someone to get you through because it is pretty tough."