Lucas Neill's agent has confirmed that United have won the chase to sign Blackburn's Australian international defender.
Talking last night following another day of heavy rumour and speculation Peter Harrison, Neill's agent, said:"Lucas has agreed terms on a 2½-year deal with West Ham - and is looking to the challenge ahead."
The deal represents a major coup for the Hammers - and something of a seismic shift in terms of Premiership buying power, with West Ham United edging out one of the top tier clubs for the first time since the Premiership's inception in the early 1990s.
Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez was a keen admirer of the 28-year-old full-back, and thought he had done enough to land the player - before West Ham United stepped in at the last minute to hijack the deal. Neill is expected to travel to London overnight in order to put pen to paper on the £1.25m deal.
Meanwhile, Calum Davenport - strongly tipped on Wednesday to be following Neill to Upton Park - was a late omission from the Tottenham squad which entertained Cardiff City in an Fa Cup third round replay last night.
It is thought that he will be confirmed as Alan Curbishley's fourth signing sometime tomorrow; Tottenham are expected to recoup the £3m they paid COventry for Davenport two years ago.
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