Alan Curbishley has admitted that he targeted Lucas Neill
as a potential signing as soon as he took over at West Ham
United.
The Hammers boss secured the services of the 28-year-old defender from Blackburn Rovers today after tracking him since the opening of the January transfer window, and couldn't hide his joy at finally completing the deal.
"I'm delighted that we have signed Lucas," says Curbs. "He is a player with vast experience who has played in the World Cup finals for Australia and is now captain of his country.
"He can play not only as a right-back, but anywhere across the back four - as he proved when appearing for Australia as a central defender during the World Cup and, most recently, as a left-back for Blackburn Rovers. With our current injury problems, especially in the centre of defence, he is someone we are really pleased to welcome here.
"Lucas is one of the players I targeted as soon as I came into the Club. We know that other clubs were interested in signing him, and so we are delighted that he has decided to join us.
"He believes we are a club that can become very successful in the future and, after the arrivals of Luis Boa Morte, Nigel Quashie and Calum Davenport, we have signed another player who has shown that he is up for the challenge ahead."
The Hammers boss secured the services of the 28-year-old defender from Blackburn Rovers today after tracking him since the opening of the January transfer window, and couldn't hide his joy at finally completing the deal.
"I'm delighted that we have signed Lucas," says Curbs. "He is a player with vast experience who has played in the World Cup finals for Australia and is now captain of his country.
"He can play not only as a right-back, but anywhere across the back four - as he proved when appearing for Australia as a central defender during the World Cup and, most recently, as a left-back for Blackburn Rovers. With our current injury problems, especially in the centre of defence, he is someone we are really pleased to welcome here.
"Lucas is one of the players I targeted as soon as I came into the Club. We know that other clubs were interested in signing him, and so we are delighted that he has decided to join us.
"He believes we are a club that can become very successful in the future and, after the arrivals of Luis Boa Morte, Nigel Quashie and Calum Davenport, we have signed another player who has shown that he is up for the challenge ahead."