Neill could have joined Liverpool's European glory-hunt when he walked out on Blackburn last January but chose relegation strugglers West Ham instead - where wages of $175,000 a week under the new Eggert Magnusson-led regime were, reportedly, on offer to him.

The 28-year-old Australia defender recovered from injury problems to help the Hammers clinch safety with a run of seven wins in their last 10 games.

And manager Curbishley insisted: "He has all the qualities needed to captain a club of this stature."

Curbishley, who highlighted the money-driven "Baby Bentley" culture among top players soon after becoming West Ham manager in December, told the club's official website www.whufc.com: "Lucas understands the role, has been used to it with Blackburn Rovers and Australia.

"I'm sure it is an appointment that everybody at the club is happy with."

Neill admitted: "Things that were said when I joined West Ham hurt me a bit, but after I was injured I could have easily sat on the bench and just picked up my wages if I had come here just for the money.

"I was told very clearly, though, I would be an important part of the side and that's why I chose West Ham. This is proof of their faith in me and I want to give something back.

"I'm not going to be a ranter and raver as a captain. There are plenty of leaders in the dressing room but we will all be open to our own particular criticisms.

"I'll do the best job I possibly can. Perhaps I'll just do it like an Aussie. We want to be winners with a winning habit and not get carried away with ourselves."

Neill revealed that mere survival will be the Hammers' first goal this term after the traumas of last season.

"We'll look to get 40 points as quickly as possible and see where we go from there," he said.

"Last season at the end was tough, but fun in the end because we appeared to have nothing to lose at one stage and were already down.

"We just decided to go for it and it paid off. Now if we can start the season like we finished the last one we will be well set.

"The guys who came in midway through last season and the ones we've acquired in the summer will hopefully make us a formidable squad, capable of finishing nearer the top six than the bottom six.

"This is a club with so much great history and so many great players who have led the team out.

"To see my name up alongside those people is a fantastic feeling and an opportunity I will relish."