Socceroos captain Lucas Neill has finally found a club after choosing to sign with English League Championship side Watford rather than NSW state league side Sydney Olympic.

The veteran defender will play out the remainder of the 2013/14 season with Watford.

Neill, 35, had been desperate to secure a deal before this year’s World Cup in Brazil after being a free agent since departing J-League side Omiya Ardija late last year.

He had even been in discussions with NSW state league side Sydney Olympic for a deal.

Sydney Olympic media manager George Mpliokas said the club’s board had decided to make a play for Neill’s services earlier yesterday.

“We are into preliminary stages of discussions,” he said.

“It is a board initiative and they have approached Lucas (to join the club).

media_camera Tim Cahill and Lucas Neill walk off after Socceroos Training Session at WIN Jubilee Oval, Kogarah in November last year.

“Lucas fits the bill for us as we need a defender to bolster our squad and he is looking for a professional club.”

The defender looked to have been making inroads at former club Blackburn Rovers after spending the past few weeks training with the team as well as playing a game for their youth team but has since departed.

The former Millwall, West Ham and Everton player was excited to have joined his new club.

“I want to add my experience to the Watford squad and I’m hoping that some of my natural leadership skills can benefit the group here,” Neill said, as part of a watfordfc.com interview.

“I’m highly motivated to keep playing. There’s still a huge passion within me for football. I’ve had experience in different territories across recent years.

“I’ve spent 14 years of my career in England and my family are based here.

“I took up challenges in different countries because I wanted some new experiences — but this is a great chance for me to play at an excellent level and help Watford finish the season as strongly as possible.”