West Ham United FC

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• Manager:Avram Grant

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Irons confirm Neill departure

04 Jun 2009 - 08:16:03

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West Ham United have announced that defender Lucas Neill is to leave the club after rejecting the offer of a new contract from the Premier League outfit.

The 31-year-old Australian right-back joined the Hammers in January 2007, having previously enjoyed productive spells with Blackburn Rovers and Millwall.

A statement on the club's official website read: "West Ham United can confirm Lucas Neill has rejected the offer of a new one-year contract.

"Following discussions in recent weeks which saw the out-of-contract defender seeking a one-year deal to take him up to the 2010 FIFA World Cup, the club made a significant offer to retain his services.

"However, he rejected that contract proposal this week and is pursuing other opportunities."

While Neill is set to exit Upton Park, Hungary Under-21 goalkeeper Peter Kurucz has signed a four-year contract with the Irons after impressing while on loan from Ujpest FC.

However, Diego Tristan, Lee Bowyer, Walter Lopez, Kyel Reid, Tony Stokes and Jimmy Walker are all free agents after coming to the end of their contracts with the club.