Galatasaray come calling for Neill

Australian defender Lucas Neill has cut short his Everton career after less than four months at Goodison Park, joining fellow UEFA Europa League contenders Galatasaray AŞ on a one-and-a-half year deal.

Free transfer
Neill, whose West Ham United FC contract expired at the end of last season, moved to Everton on a free transfer in September and has since featured 15 times under David Moyes. The 31-year-old, who has not played outside of England throughout his career, was due to remain on Merseyside for the remainder of the campaign but has instead opted to join Galatasaray, though not until after Everton's Premier League fixture against Manchester City FC on Saturday.

'Surprise'
"The move has come as a surprise to me," Neill said. "I'd like to thank the staff and fans but most of all my team-mates for making my time at Everton very enjoyable. I am pleased to have had a positive impact on the team and the club and wish them every success for the future." Galatasaray sit second in the Turkish Süper Lig and will face Club Atlético de Madrid in the UEFA Europa League round of 32 on 18 and 23 February. Everton take on Sporting Clube de Portugal on 16 and 25 February.