Neill was presented to the Goodison Park crowd on Thursday
Everton have completed the signing of Lucas Neill on a one-year deal.
The 31-year-old Australia international defender is a free agent after his West Ham deal expired this summer.
He turned down offers from West Ham and Sunderland and boss David Moyes said: "It gives us another player, especially with Phil Neville injured for a while.
"I'm pleased. It is very rare you can get a player after the window closes but fortunately he was out of contract and we were able to get him here."
Neill, who also held talks with Atletico Madrid of Spain and was linked with a move to Turkey's Galatasaray, is the fourth permanent addition to boss David Moyes' squad, following Sylvain Distin, Diniyar Bilyaletdinov and John Heitinga to Goodison Park.
He joined West Ham from Blackburn - turning down Liverpool in the process - in January 2007, and was made skipper of the Hammers that summer.
After making 89 appearances for the Londoners, scoring one goal, he rejected the offer of a new one-year contract in June.
Everton captain Phil Neville is out with knee ligament damage for three months, Phil Jagielka is out until November, and Joleon Lescott has moved to Manchester City.
That has left boss David Moyes short of options, with new signing Heitinga ineligible until January to play in Europe.
Neill, who can play in various defensive positions, is eligible to play in Sunday's Premier League game against his former club Blackburn, but he will also not be able to play in the Europa League.
Neill, who is also the Australia captain, was keen to secure regular first-team football after the Socceroos qualified for next summer's World Cup in South Africa.
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