Skip to Main Content
Members:   Log In Sign Up
Text:  A  A  A
EVERTON PAST PLAYER PROFILES

Lucas Neill

Squad number 23
Position Right Back
Joined on 17 September 2009
Joined from [West Ham United]
Transfer fee Out of Contract
Debut
(Sub)
v  Hull City (A)
23 September 2009
Debut
(Full)
v Bolton Wdrs  (A)
25 October 2009
Contract duration 1 year
Contract expires June 2010
Finale v Arsenal  (A)
9 January 2010
Left Everton 13 January 2010
Signed for Galatasaray (£1M)
Born Sydney, Australia
Date of birth 9 March 1978
Height 6' 1"
Nickname(s) -
Honours


STRENGTHS
Versatility
Experience
Good distribution
 
WEAKNESSES
 
 


Soccerbase Datafile
Wikipedia Page


Ex-West Ham captain Lucas Neill joined Everton after rejecting a contract extension on significantly reduced terms at West Ham United in the summer before agreeing a one-year deal at Goodison.

The right-back had seen moves to Sunderland and Atletico Madrid collapse, and was clearly relieved to have signed a deal with Everton worth around £40k a week, after being on something like £90k a week after three years at Upton Park. He also joined the Hammers on a free from Blackburn in 2006.

At 31, and being seriously match-unfit without a game for three months, it seemed unlikely that he would feature in the Everton squad for some time, despite being purchased as a move to provide cover for the injured Phil Neville who was out injured until Christmas.

“It wasn’t the intention (to be out of football) but there was a lot of interest and weighing up to do but I just got that gut feeling and believed Everton was worth the wait,” said Neill.

Neill joined Millwall on a free transfer in November 1995 and spent 6 years at the club, 4 with his Aussie mate, Tim Cahill before submitting a transfer request and joining for Blackburn Rovers for an initial fee of £600k (+ £400k).

Neill's combative and committed style of play attracted criticism in 2003-04 at a time when Blackburn had been criticised routinely for their aggressive play but he was always regarded as a decent fullback and was captain of Australia's national team when he arrived at Goodison.

Although Neill made a satisfactory start at Everton and made some important contributions at right back, he was ineligible for the Europa League and was therefore missing when the Blues needed him the most. 

It was during yet another injury crisis, this time over the winter of 2009, that Neill really came to the fore in an Everton jersey. With Phil Jagielka, Sylvain Distin and Joseph Yobo all sidelined with injury, he struck up a very promising pairing with the increasingly excellent John Heitinga in central defence.

Distin's return to fitness coincided with a surprise bid from Turkish giants, Galatasaray, though, in January 2010 and Moyes reluctantly agreed to sell him on an "undisclosed fee", reported to be between £750k and £850k but which turned out to be £1M, and made a profit on a player who was at Goodison for just four months.

By Michael Kenrick and Lyndon Lloyd
Last updated January 2010


Everton Career
Season Squad
Number
League
Apps (sub)
League
Goals
Cup
Apps (sub)
Cup
Goals
Total
Apps (sub)
Total
Goals
2009-10
23
10 (2)
0
2 (1)
0
12 (3)
0
  Totals
10 (2)
0
2 (1)
0
12 (3)
0

 
Previous Career
Season Team Appearances (sub) Goals
1995-2001 Millwall 152 (13) 0
2001-2006 Blackburn Rovers 188 (5) 0
2006-2009 West Ham United 79 (1) 0


OK

We use cookies to enhance your experience on ToffeeWeb and to enable certain features. By using the website you are consenting to our use of cookies in accordance with our cookie policy.