I'm just delighted to be at a very big club with a big tradition West Ham defender Lucas Neill (left)

Neill turned down a move to Liverpool, amid suggestions he had opted for a bigger pay packet at Upton Park.

"My decision was based on football. I know I'm going to fit into the family here," said the 28-year-old.

"I'm within the wage structure and there's nothing outrageous about it. I just want regular first-team football."

News conference: West Ham's Lucas Neill

The Australia international said he had also been influenced by West Ham's reputation in the game.

"I'm just delighted to be at a very big club with a big tradition. People say that Liverpool and West Ham are difficult to compare, but there's been some fantastic players here," said Neill.

"The likes of Geoff Hurst, Bobby Moore, Alan Devonshire Trevor Brooking and more recently Rio Ferdinand, Frank Lampard, Joe Cole and Michael Carrick - they're great players and characters."

Moving to West Ham isn't a backwards step - it's a great jump forwards Lucas Neill

But Neill did admit he had been on the verge of moving to Anfield before West Ham convinced him to sign for them.

"If truth be told, I thought that when the transfer window opened I would get the chance to go to Liverpool but as it turned out it was well into the window before there was any formal approach," he said.

"It made me wonder where I might fit into those plans.

"At my age, that was an important decision to make. The money thing is crazy and will only unsettle the club I've come to.

"Moving to West Ham isn't a backwards step - it's a great jump forwards."

Meanwhile, West Ham manager Alan Curbishley said he is looking to Neill to add some defensive solidity to his side's back four.

"We have been scoring goals, but letting them in as well," said Curbishley.

"Hopefully Lucas coming into the squad will beef us up a bit.

"I want us to settle down and get some wins under our belts, which is what we need."