Neill completes Everton move

Defender signs one-year contract

Last updated: 17th September 2009   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Neill completes Everton move

Neill: Everton move

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Everton have confirmed the signing of former West Ham defender Lucas Neill on a one-year contract.

The experienced Australian passed a medical at the club's Finch Farm training ground on Thursday morning before the move was finalised.

Neill was able to join the Toffees outside the transfer window after leaving the Hammers when his deal expired over the summer.

West Ham had offered the 31-year-old an extension but he turned down the proposal and will now continue his career at Goodison Park.

Everton boss David Moyes said of Neill after Thursday's 4-0 win over AEK Athens in the Europa League: "I'm pleased to have him.

Accomplished performer

"It gives us another player, especially with Phil Neville injured for another couple of months.

"It is very rare you can get a player after the window closes but fortunately he was out of contract and we were able to get him here."

Neill has been an accomplished Premier League performer since he joined Blackburn from Millwall in 2001.

He spent six years at Ewood Park before switching to West Ham amid reported interest from Liverpool.

Neill will compete for a place in a new-look back four following the recent arrivals of Sylvain Distin and Johnny Heitinga.

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