Former West Ham captain Lucas Neil declared bankrupt in the UK

Posted Tuesday, May 03, 2016 by squawka.com

Former West Ham and Everton defender Lucas Neil has been declared bankrupt in the United Kingdom.

Throughout his playing career, Neil captained the Australian national team whilst forging a well-respected career in the English game.

Despite earning a reported $40 million (£27.7m), the Australian has now hit hard times since he last played the game in 2014.

London based insolvency firm Begbies Traynor have been entrusted with the bankruptcy.

"Mr Neill is due to be interviewed when he returns to the UK in the coming weeks, at which point the trustees will be able to obtain the background information required to determine the full scale of Mr Neill's debts," Dale Hernon of Begbies Traynor said in a statement.

Neil enjoyed a 15-year stay in England making over 400 club appearances.

His spell at West Ham was perhaps his most successful, captaining the Hammers and making 79 appearances for the east London outfit, scoring one goal.

Neil played 96 times for the Australian national team and also only scored one goal.

The whereabouts of the former Socceroo is not confirmed but he is thought to be returning to the UK soon where he has set up his family.

Since his bankruptcy emerged, a soccer agency run by Niel's brother-in-law has been threatened with a winding up order, according to a report from Sydney's Daily Telegraph.

The agency dealt with Neil's playing and commercial business throughout his career but no legal connection has been made with the former Hammer.