THE bling is back at Sydney FC with the club capturing the signature of Socceroos skipper Lucas Neill.

The 34-year-old looked set to join Melbourne Heart but a more lucrative 11th hour bid from FC scuppered the deal.

He will now line up alongside Italian superstar Alessandro Del Piero and Socceroos teammate Brett Emerton and should be cleared in time for the round 22 clash with Heart on Sunday week.

"I'm a Sydney boy and I'm excited to be coming back to Australia to play club football in front of friends and family with Sydney FC,'' said Neill in a statement.



"I worked with Frank for many years in the Socceroos and I look back on those times with good memories, and it's great to have the chance to enjoy further success together at Sydney FC."

He is now likely to receive a frosty reception when Heart hosts Sydney FC on at AAMI Park.

Neill met Heart officials Scott Munn and John Didulica in Sydney yesterday morning. He informed both clubs of his decision to join Sydney this morning.

Sydney coach Frank Farina admitted to his club's interest in Neill on Thursday.

"We haven't ruled it out, put it that way, though we haven't had any discussions yet," Farina said on Thursday after his two-year contract extension as Sydney boss was announced.

Neill has been capped by the Socceroos 89 times.

He is believed to have been told by Socceroos coach Holger Osieck he must play regularly if he wants to be guaranteed a first 11 spot.

Along with Heart, Brisbane Roar was also interested but its exit from the Asian Champions League on Wednesday night ended any hopes it had of luring him.

Originally published as Lucas Neill joins Sydney FC