New signing Lucas Neill is presented with a Sydney FC jersey by coach Frank Farina. Source: Getty Images
Lucas Neill speaks at his first Sydney FC press conference. Source: Getty Images
Lucas Neill arrives for his first Sydney FC training session. Source: Getty Images
SOCCEROOS captain Lucas Neill has apologised to Melbourne Heart for his last-minute switch to join A-League rivals Sydney FC instead but insists money had nothing to do with the move.
The 34-year-old looked certain to join Heart earlier this week after being released by United Arab Emirates club Al Wasl a fortnight ago.
But a late bid by the Sky Blues swayed the veteran Sydney-born defender to renew his ties with former Socceroos coach Frank Farina who on Thursday re-signed with the Sky Blues to the end of the 2014-15 season.
Neill, who has signed for just the rest of this season, wanted to "clear the air'' and dismiss any rumours he walked away from the Heart deal for a bigger pay cheque.
"I did give an indication that I would be excited by the opportunity of going to Melbourne,'' Neill said after his first training session at his new club today.
"There was never a case of leveraging one club against the other but when the opportunity became very real to join Sydney it was a difficult decision, but an easy one from a family point of view of being born in Sydney and raised in Sydney.
"And it's exciting times here at Sydney FC to commit myself to this club.
"As far as being gazumped at the last minute it was never a question of money.
"It's been well documented that Melbourne's offer was $100,000 and I've signed for $70,000 so I think we leave it at that.''
Neill's claim contradicts reports that his Sydney deal is worth just over $100,000 - double Heart's offer. Neill remains outside the salary cap because of the temporary nature of his contract.
Neill apologised to Heart coach and former Socceroos teammate John Aloisi for misleading him but says he's looking forward to facing them at AAMI Park next Sunday.
"To the Melbourne Heart board and to Johnny Aloisi and (assistant coach) Hayden (Foxe) I apologise if I gave too much of an indication that I was heading down to Melbourne and I wish them all the best,'' he said.
"In an ironic way I look forward to playing against them or playing some part against them in Melbourne.''
Heart yesterday accused Neill of reneging on a promise to join the club.
The club was left with egg on its face after Aloisi and chief executive Scott Munn spoke confidently about the Neill pursuit in the preceding days.
Neill is certain to receive a frosty reception next Sunday when he makes his Sydney debut against the Heart.
The Sunday Herald Sun has been told that Neill gave assurances to Aloisi and assistant Hayden Foxe, triggering football operations manager John Didulica and chief executive Munn to commence earnest negotiations.
New signing Lucas Neill is presented with a Sydney FC jersey by coach Frank Farina. Source: Getty Images
Munn last night was fuming at the way the Neill deal unfolded and said the defender could expect a baptism of fire at AAMI Park.
"We're disappointed because we received some really positive messages from the player himself," Munn said.
"Clearly, we were played a little bit. But that's football, that's the way it works.
"We'll play Sydney next week and I reckon there will be a bit of feeling in that game - friendships may have been put in the way for the dollar."
It's understood Neill's preference was to join Brisbane if it qualified for the Champions League but Heart claims he assured them he'd be coming to Melbourne if Roar failed.
Talks intensified after Roar was eliminated on penalties by Thai side Buriram United, with Munn and Didulica meeting Neill and his agent, Darren Jackson, in Sydney on Friday morning.
It also prompted Aloisi to speak at length regarding Neill's potential arrival at Melbourne Airport, en route to Newcastle.
Heart was expecting an answer by Friday night, but alarm bells started ringing when Neill's camp asked to sleep on it.
Lukewarm interest from Sydney FC evolved into a formal offer once Frank Farina's contract extension was announced on Thursday.
"There was a bit of interest, Frank mentioned that last week. We had further discussions last night and finalised it this morning," Sydney chief executive Tony Pignata said yesterday.
Munn had no issues with Football Federation Australia's role, with the governing body set to subsidise the deal.
"It was clear that there would be an FFA subsidy and David Gallop has been exemplary," he said.
"Sydney put forward a more commercial offer, so good luck."
Neill's signing is a timely boost for Sydney FC, who sit in fifth spot with seven matches remaining before the finals.
Neill will line up alongside Italian superstar striker Alessandro Del Piero and Socceroos teammate Brett Emerton to add plenty of experience to an otherwise youthful squad.
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