Everton have signed former West Ham defender Lucas Neill on a one-year deal. The Australian international was a free agent after his contract at Upton Park expired in the off-season.

The 31-year-old passed a medical at the club's Finch Farm training ground on Friday morning. Neill will increase Everton's defensive options after recent injury to Phil Neville and the sale of Joleon Lescott, while Phil Jagielka remains on the sidelines.

The former Blackburn and Millwall player is the fourth permanent addition to David Moyes' squad since the end of last season following Diniyar Bilyaletdinov, Sylvain Distin and John Heitinga. The deal was completed ahead of Everton's Europa League clash against AEK Athens.

Neill, who famously turned down a move to Merseyside rivals Liverpool two years ago, reportedly rejected the offer of a new one-year contract at West Ham in the summer to pursue other options.

"It was tough (waiting) but it was about making the right decision. It was really worth the wait," said the right-back, who two years ago turned down Merseyside rivals Liverpool in favour of the Hammers. "It was all about being at a club where I knew I was going to get an opportunity to play and make an impact and further myself as a player.

"My gut feeling was strong about this one and I'm delighted about it. The manager didn't have to sell the club to me, it was all about the opportunities I would have in the squad and what he wanted me to do as a player.

"The moment I ran out of contract I wanted to get back into it but it was about having the right feeling. I was prepared to wait as long as it took to get that feeling. Would I like to have signed for Everton two months ago? Of course, but these things don't always work out when you want them to.

"There was a lot of waiting for phone calls and meetings, getting offers and talking it over with my family and here we are. For a long time I was thinking 'Do I want a new challenge, new lifestyle and learn a new language?'.

"I was really turned on by doing that and for the first month of the off-season that was all I was thinking about. But as the offers were coming in I got the feeling 'Do I want to change everything coming up to a World Cup or do I stick to what I know?'."

Moyes admitted had it not been for Neville's injury it is unlikely he would have signed Neill. And he is unlikely to give him his debut against former club Blackburn at Goodison Park on Sunday.

"It is not massively tempting. He has not played and is not up to match speed yet but I do know if I get an injury I can throw him in," said the Everton boss.

"We have got people coming back - Johnny Heitinga, Tony Hibbert - so we have plenty of options. I have always liked him but didn't think we had the need for it at the time but the injury to Phil Neville I thought left me a little bit short.

"With Jonny coming in (from Atletico Madrid) you are never sure how the foreign boys will settle so, because of that and Phil's injury, I thought it was right to bring him in."