Bumper salary sees Hammers steal Neill
Neill will add some grit to a shaky Hammers defence
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Thursday, 18, Jan 2007 01:31
West Ham have reportedly broken the bank to steal Lucas Neill from Liverpool.
The Blackburn Rovers defender was widely expected to move to Anfield, with Stephen Warnock going in the opposite direction.
But after the Hammers offered the 28-year-old a two-and-a-half year contract said to be worth £50,000-a-week, he chose east London over Merseyside.
"Lucas has agreed terms on a two-and-a-half year deal with West Ham and is looking forward to the challenge ahead," his agent told the online edition of the Times newspaper.
Neill passed a medical at Upton Park last night and could even be available to play at the weekend barring any last-minute hitches.
He will add some much needed steel and aerial power to the Hammers defence, which has looked shaky in recent weeks, conceding nine goals in the last two league games.
It is understood that the Australia international, who gave away the penalty that knocked the Socceroos out of last summer's World Cup, has negotiated a release clause should West Ham be relegated.
Alan Curbishley has already brought in winger Luis Boa-Morte from Fulham and West Brom enforcer Nigel Quashie in a bid to keep the Hammers in the Premiership.
Earlier today, he also completed the signing of defender Calum Davenport from Tottenham for an undisclosed fee.
"He is fully fit and has been playing regularly for Spurs recently, so he is up to speed and will be able to hit the ground running with us," Curbishley told the club's website.
Davenport could partner Anton Ferdinand at centre-half for this weekend's trip to Newcastle as Wales internationals James Collins and Danny Gabbidon both picked up injuries in the 3-3 draw with Fulham last Saturday.
Curbishley is likely to continue his hunt for players, with Charlton striker Darren Bent still top of his wish list.
He was, though, unsuccessful in a bid to sign Matthew Upson from Birmingham last night, after the midlands club rejected a £4 million offer.