Neill joins Hammers' survival bid

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LONDON, England -- Australia captain Lucas Neill has joined West Ham United from Blackburn Rovers for an undisclosed fee, the Premier League clubs confirmed on Monday.

Rovers also completed a deal to bring Liverpool defender Stephen Warnock to the club on a three-and-a-half-year contract.

Relegation-threatened West Ham have been busy during the transfer window, with Neill becoming their fourth capture following the signings of Luis Boa Morte from Fulham, Nigel Quashie from West Bromwich Albion and Calum Davenport from Tottenham Hotspur.

Neill, 28, had been a target for Liverpool but opted to move instead to West Ham, having begun his English playing career down the road at Millwall after moving from Sydney.

The rugged defender was part of Australia's side at the World Cup finals in Germany last year, helping them to reach the second round where they were beaten by eventual winners Italy.

The 25-year-old Warnock is a replacement for Neill and Rovers boss Mark Hughes believes he will help his side to push for a UEFA Cup place next season.

"He is naturally left-footed as well which gives us that balance on the left side which we didn't have with Lucas being right-footed," Hughes told the Rovers Web site.

"We thank Lucas for his efforts because he was fantastic for me in my time here. He took his option to move which he was well within his rights to do."

Warnock could be in line for his debut when Rovers face bottom club Watford in the Premier League on Tuesday. Victory would move them up to eighth.

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