Lucas Neill is happy with his move to Everton, though has been warned by manager David Moyes that he faces a battle to get into the starting XI. A one-year deal for the 31-year-old was completed on Thursday night and the Australia international is now looking to force his way into the first team.
"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 - Jonny 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."
