35 Facts About Lucas Neill

Lucas Edward Neill was born on 9 March 1978 and is an Australian former soccer player.

Lucas Neill spent almost 15 years of his career playing in England.

Lucas Neill represented Australia at the 2006 FIFA World Cup, the 2007 AFC Asian Cup, the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa, and the 2011 AFC Asian Cup in Qatar.

Lucas Neill played for Millwall, Blackburn Rovers, West Ham United, Everton, Galatasaray, Al Jazira, Al Wasl, Sydney FC, Omiya Ardija, Watford FC and Doncaster Rovers.

Lucas Neill joined Millwall on a free transfer in November 1995, making his debut on 17 February against Luton Town in 1996.

Lucas Neill played his first game for Blackburn in September 2001 against Sunderland and scored his first Blackburn goal later that month against Bolton Wanderers.

Lucas Neill was well regarded by Blackburn Rovers supporters and held the right back position for over five years for the Blackburn Rovers.

Lucas Neill was booed and barracked on his return to Ewood Park in March 2007.

In January 2007 Lucas Neill turned his back on an un-confirmed bid from Liverpool in favour of West Ham United, following the successful transfer of Stephen Warnock from Liverpool to Blackburn.

Lucas Neill was accused of his primary motivating factor being money, but he later refuted these claims, stating the move was for purely footballing reasons.

Lucas Neill later alleged to the media that Liverpool had not made him feel truly wanted, and that he had not even spoken to manager Rafael Benitez.

Lucas Neill made his league debut for the Hammers in February 2007 against Watford, where he picked up a knee injury.

Lucas Neill became the permanent team captain following Nigel Reo-Coker's transfer to Aston Villa.

On 17 September 2009, Lucas Neill joined close friend Tim Cahill at Everton on a free transfer, signing a one-year deal.

Lucas Neill's first start for Everton in the Premier League was on 25 October 2009 where he played a full match against Bolton Wanderers setting up two goals.

On 13 January 2010, Lucas Neill agreed to join Turkish side Galatasaray.

Lucas Neill signed a one-and-a-half-year contract with Galatasaray, linking up with Socceroo teammate Harry Kewell.

Lucas Neill signed in August 2012 one-year contract with Al Wasl.

In January 2013, Lucas Neill was released from Al Wasl after the club signed Ahmad Ibrahim Khalaf, thus replacing Lucas Neill as an import player.

Lucas Neill made his A-League debut for Sydney FC against Melbourne Heart on 24 February 2013 at AAMI Park in Melbourne.

Lucas Neill played just four games of his ten-game guest stint at Sydney FC.

On 18 August 2013, Lucas Neill signed with Japanese team Omiya Ardija.

Lucas Neill signed a four-month deal for the remainder of the Japanese season.

In November 2013, at the end of the Japanese football season, Lucas Neill was not offered a contract extension, and had to start looking for another club.

Lucas Neill offered his services to all the A-League clubs but did not receive any offers.

On 8 September 2015, it was reported that Lucas Neill was close to signing with National Premier Leagues NSW club Hakoah Sydney City East FC, with Lucas Neill identified as a potential leader at the club whose roster is replete with talented youngsters.

In October 1996, Lucas Neill became the third-youngest player, after Duncan Cummings and Harry Kewell, to debut for the Australian national team when he played in a friendly game against Saudi Arabia in Riyadh, aged 18 years and 7 months.

Lucas Neill competed at the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney with the Australian men's team, the Olyroos.

Lucas Neill was named Man of the Match for this game.

Lucas Neill started all four of Australia's games at the 2006 World Cup.

Lucas Neill received his second yellow card and was sent off, capping a disappointing performance by the Australian side.

The nub of the criticism was that Lucas Neill continued to be selected as Socceroos captain, in spite of not having regular game time at a club, and having been dropped by two Middle Eastern clubs, Al Jazira Club and Al Wasl FC, and having made minimal impact in his short time in Australia's domestic A-League.

Sections of the press and social media called for Lucas Neill to retire with commentator Robbie Slater stating Lucas Neill should be stood down as Socceroos captain.

Lucas Neill responded to the criticism, refusing to contemplate retirement, instead appearing to lay the blame at the feet of the younger players of the squad.

On 2 May 2016, Lucas Neill was declared bankrupt in the United Kingdom.