Lucas Neill has spurned interest from Liverpool and agreed a two-and-a-half year deal with Premiership strugglers West Ham.
Liverpool was widely thought to have been the wantaway Blackburn defender's destination, but on Wednesday night he agreed terms on a lucrative contract with The Hammers.
Alan Curbishley is desperate to strengthen his team for their fight against relegation and has offered attractive terms to Neill, though The Hammers are reported still to be negotiating with Rovers.
"Lucas has agreed terms on a two-and-a-half year deal with West Ham and is looking forward to the challenge ahead," Neill's agent Peter Harrison is quoted in The Times.
Neill's decision to choose The Hammers over Liverpool will exasperate Reds boss Rafa Benitez who hinted for the first time on Wednesday that a deal for Neill had hit a stumbling block.