Blackburn Rovers have sold Lucas Neill to West Ham and swiftly
replaced him with Liverpool defender Stephen Warnock.
Neill was expected to wrap up his Hammers switch this week after
the former Millwall man agreed terms with the Upton Park side at
the weekend.
However, Rovers refused to confirm the deal until a suitable
replacement had been found. Rovers boss Mark Hughes has now filled
the void after capturing Warnock.
28-year-old Neill has joined West Ham for an undisclosed fee while
Warnock has penned a three-and-a-half year contract at Ewood
Park.
Neill made nearly 200 league appearances during his time at
Blackburn, but after choosing not to extend his contract, Rovers
looked to cash in on the Australian.
He rejected a move to Liverpool in favour of moving back to the
capital and will now be entrusted with maintaining The Hammers'
top-flight status.
Warnock has opted for pastures new after he slipped down
Liverpool's pecking order. He was already behind John Arne Riise
prior to Fabio Aurelio's arrival from Valencia last summer.
The 25-year-old made just seven appearances with The Reds this
season and has now departed for Ewood Park with the prospect of
first-team football on the horizon.