Former Hammers skipper declared bankrupt

Former Hammers skipper, Lucas Neill has been declared bankrupt. Neill, who it’s estimated earned close to £21m in a career that included 15 years playing in England, much of it in the Premier League, will be interviewed by executives from an insolvency firm this week as they seek to establish the extent of his debts. But creditors have been warned that the investigation into his bankruptcy could take months, with no indication yet of what money might be recoverable to pay his debts.

Neill made a string of high-profile investments during his career, including a property portfolio in the US and a soccer coaching business in Sydney, Australia.

Neill was dropped by national coach Ange Postecoglou ahead of the 2014 World Cup. In a statement, insolvency firm Begbies Traynor confirmed that Neill would be quizzed on his affairs, having been declared bankrupt in January.

Neill left West Ham in 2009 after failing to agree a new contract with the Hammers. West Ham wanted their £60,000 per week captain to take a hefty 50% pay cut – partly dictated by the new financial reality at the club after the Icelandic banking crash. West Ham reportedly later upped their offer to Neill to £35,000 per week basic plus up to £20,000 in appearances and performance related bonuses per week but he turned them down. He joined Everton on a free transfer but only featured 12 times in a Blue shirt.