LUCAS NEILL has admitted his surprise at clinching a move to Galatasaray.

The former Millwall, Blackburn Rovers and West Ham United defender will bring to an end a 14-year spell in English football when he joins the Turkish club following Everton’s weekend fixture with Manchester City.

Neill’s stay at Goodison Park has been short-lived however, having joined from Upton Park as a free agent in September.

“The move has come as a surprise to me,” said the 31-year-old.

“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 were said to be interested in signing Neill last summer.

When they approached Everton with an offer thought to be in the region of £1million, it was too good an offer to turn down for a player who signed on a Bosman deal less then four months ago.

Neill made 15 appearances for Everton, three from the bench, and had formed a promising central defensive partnership with Johnny Heitinga in recent weeks in the absence of the injured Sylvain Distin and Joseph Yobo, who is now away on African Cup of Nations duty with Nigeria.