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Everton poised to bring in Neill

Posted on September 17, 2009 at 11:10 AM.

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Neill helped lead Australia to the 2010 World Cup finals

Lucas Neill is having a medical at Everton with a view to moving to the Goodison Park club.

The 31-year-old Australia international is a free agent after his West Ham deal expired this summer.

The defender is expected to sign for the rest of this season and three more, having turned down offers from former club West Ham and Sunderland.

Neill also held talks with Spanish side Atletico Madrid and was linked with a move to Galatasaray of Turkey.

He joined West Ham from Blackburn - turning down Liverpool in the process - in January 2007, and was made skipper of the Hammers that summer.

After making 89 appearances for the Londoners, scoring one goal, he rejected the offer of a new one-year contract in June.

Everton captain Phil Neville is out with knee ligament damage for three months, Phil Jagielka is out until November, and Joleon Lescott has moved to Manchester City.

That has left boss David Moyes short of options, with new signing John Heitinga ineligible until January to play in Europe.

Neill will also not be able to play in the Europa League, but can fit into various defensive positions.

Neill, who is also the Australia captain, was keen to secure regular first-team football after the Socceroos qualified for next summer's World Cup in South Africa.