Alan Curbishley was delighted to bring one of his top targets to West Ham United after capturing Lucas Neill.
The Australian defender has joined The Hammers for an undisclosed fee after turning down the chance to link up with Liverpool.
Neill insists money was not a factor in his decision and Curbishley was overjoyed to fend off interest from other clubs.
Pointing to Neill's versatility, the West Ham boss feels his new signing will be a valuable addition in the club's battle to avoid relegation.
"I'm delighted that we have signed Lucas," Curbishley told the club's official website.
"He is a player with vast experience who has played in the World Cup finals for Australia and is now captain of his country.
"He can play not only as a right-back, but anywhere across the back four - as he proved when appearing for Australia as a central defender during the World Cup and, most recently, as a left-back for Blackburn Rovers.
"With our current injury problems, especially in the centre of defence, he is someone we are really pleased to welcome here.
"Lucas is one of the players I targeted as soon as I came into the club.
"We know that other clubs were interested in signing him, and so we are delighted that he has decided to join us.
"He believes we are a club that can become very successful in the future and, after the arrivals of Luis Boa Morte, Nigel Quashie and Calum Davenport, we have signed another player who has shown that he is up for the challenge ahead."