Neill has been without a club since the end of the A-League season when he completed a short-term deal with Sydney FC, while the defender has only played 10 matches this year – four of them with the Socceroos.

The former Blackburn, West Ham and Galatasaray defender was released by Emirati club Al Wasl in January and after a long search for a club, signed a short-term deal with Sydney but only managed three games with the Sky Blues.

After Australia qualified for next year's World Cup finals in June, Socceroos head coach Holger Osieck warned the veteran defender to find a club quickly or risk losing his spot in the squad for Brazil 2014 and Neill has seemingly heeded that ultimatum.

Neill's agency Inspire Sports Management released a statement on Sunday afternoon, with Neill delighted about the move with a view to the World Cup.

“I am delighted to have reached an agreement with Omiya Ardija," Neill said. "The J.League is a strong competition as we have seen from the results of the Japanese national team.

"Until a few weeks ago, Omiya Ardija were leading the competition and still have a genuine shot at the J-League title and Asian Champions League qualification. 

“I have been working to a specific strategy in the lead up to next year’s World Cup and this represents the next step. I am proud to have joined the club and look forward to doing my best for both my new club and as always my country”.

A picture of Neill wearing Omiya's shirt has been posted on the club's website alongside a quote attributed to the 35-year-old, saying he is 'very excited' to join the J.League outfit based just north of Tokyo.

"I'm very excited that I was able to join Omiya Ardija," Neill said on Sunday.

"I hope I can become Ardija's strength with my passionate playing style and strong will to win. I want to use my experience to help my team-mates achieve the club's goals."

Omiya finished 13th in the 2012 J. League season but were the early leaders in the current campaign, before a run of six straight defeats saw them slump to fifth on Saturday.

Last week, after the fifth loss in a row, the club's owners lost patience in Slovenian head coach Zdenko Verdenik and sacked the 64-year-old, naming Takeyuki Okamoto as a stand-in boss.