Neill returns home

Socceroos captain Lucas Neill has arrived back in Australia, citing “family reasons” for missing his club side Omiya Ardija’s final match of the J-League season.

Socceroos captain Lucas Neill has arrived back in Australia, citing “family reasons” for missing his club side Omiya Ardija-s final match of the J-League season.

Neill-s contract with the club is due to expire at the end of the season and Omiya Ardija have said there is no planned return for the defender.

Despite this, the 35-year-old spoke fondly of his time in Japan and expressed a desire to return to the land of the rising sun.

"I-m very keen on coming back to the J-League," said Neill. "Japan and the J-League, I absolutely love it. It-s brilliant. Some of the top teams here, the style, the technical ability is fantastic."

The Socceroos skipper, who played nearly 15 years of his career in England, including with West Ham and Everton, signed with the J-League side in August.

The Japanese club are currently in 14th place in the domestic league with one match to play, with Neill having not featured in the side in the two matches since he led the Socceroos against Costa Rica.

Neill, who broke the record for most appearances as Socceroos captain when he led the national team out for the 61st time in that match, made nine appearances during his contract with Omiya Ardija.