Arsenal have signed midfielder, Declan Rice from West Ham in a record £105m transfer deal between two British clubs.
Rice’s move to Arsenal comes just weeks after the 24 year-old captained West Ham to UEFA Europa Conference League success – as the Hammers beat Fiorentina 2-1 in the Final in Prague, Czech Republic.
The club subsequently greenlit a move for Rice this summer providing that their £100m transfer valuation was met, although Arsenal saw initial bids of £80m then £90m rejected before Manchester City attempted to hijack their transfer talks with a £90m bid which was too snubbed.
Man City’s move ultimately prompted Arsenal to meet the Hammers’ valuation with a reported £105m bid, with both clubs having agreed a suitable payment structure amidst initial reports of a £100m fee up front plus a further £5m in add-ons.
Rice’s £105m transfer also meant that his move from West Ham to Arsenal is a new record transfer between British clubs for an English player, breaking the £100m transfer of Jack Grealish from Aston Villa to Manchester City in August 2021.
Rice has signed a five-year contract with Arsenal until June 2028 and will wear the number 41 shirt like he did at West Ham.
Speaking about his move across London to Arsenal, Rice commented: “In football, amazing opportunities arise. Big clubs, like Arsenal, have come for me and it’s really hard to turn down.
“You only ever get one career and I really believe in what Mikel is building here and the squad he’s building. I’m really looking forward to the future with Arsenal.”
Rice proceeded to admit that he had been eying up a move to Arsenal in the last two seasons, as he hailed the Gunners’ “outstanding” campaign last season, where they finished as Premier League runners-up.
The 24 year-old went on to add that he can’t wait to be part of Arsenal’s title challenge with their young squad, as he explained: “With Mikel and how he works, the squad, how young everyone is, the energy around the club and also the challenge of getting Arsenal back to where they belong, that means a lot to me.
“I know the fans really want that. For me as a player, I’ve come here really hungry to have more success and to spend my best years at this great club.”
On working under manager, Mikel Arteta, Rice said that he is “excited” to be playing under the Arsenal legend and revealed that he got a “real insight” into Arteta through Arsenal’s documentary on Amazon, in terms of how he works with his players both as a coach and “psychologically” improving each player as an individual.
Rice added that he is keen to progress his game under Arteta, as he continued: “I know he’s going to get the best out of me. I know I’ve got more levels to go up in my game, and I feel like he’s the manager to take me to those next levels. I’m really excited to be working with him.”
This move also sees Rice join his England teammates, Aaron Ramsdale, Ben White and Bukayo Saka at club level which the midfielder described as “an honour.”
Rice went on to admit that he had spoken with both players plus several other new teammates, as he said: “There are some unbelievable players I’ve played with at international level and now I get to share those same duties at club level.
“All of them have spoken so highly about the club – how each and every one of them have improved under the manager. When you hear things like that, you really take it in your stride and listen.
“You’ve got players like Saks, who’s now one of the best wingers in the world. There’s Rammers, who is one of the best keepers. You’ve got Whitey at right-back, who was unreal last year. There’s Smith Rowe and so many in the squad. They all speak so glowingly of the club and the direction it’s been going in the last few years, so it’s really exciting.”
Rice will also be reunited with his former Chelsea teammate at youth level, Eddie Nketiah who was released by the Blues at the same time as Rice, with both players since going on to graduate through the academy ranks at West Ham and Arsenal respectively.
The 24 year-old consequently spoke of his respect for Nketiah as he commented: “I’ve always loved Eddie, even though we had that little altercation on the pitch before! I’ve always loved him and been close to his family.
“His dad is a top, top guy who used to come on all the tours with us as kids, so I’m really looking forward to seeing Eddie again and of course the other boys.”
Arteta added: “We’re really happy that Declan is joining us. He is a player with tremendous ability, who has been performing at a high level in the Premier League and for England for a number of seasons now.
Declan is bringing undoubted quality to the club and he is an exceptional talent who has the potential to be very successful here.
“Declan has great experience in the Premier League at only 24 years old. He has captained a very good West Ham team and as we all saw, he recently lifted a European trophy. The responsibility and role he has taken on has been very impressive and we are really excited that he is joining us.”
Rice leaves West Ham having spent nine years at the club, during which he graduated through their youth academy and went on to score 15 goals in 245 senior appearances, since he made his debut in May 2017 as a substitute in a 2-1 away win at Burnley.
The 24 year-old initially represented Republic of Ireland in international football where he made three senior appearances, before he opted to switch allegiance to England in February 2019 and has gone on to score three goals in 43 appearances for the Three Lions.
Rice could make his competitive debut for Arsenal against Nottingham Forest at Emirates Stadium in a 12:30pm BST kick-off, live on TNT Sport on Saturday 12 August.
Rice’s first clash against his former club – West Ham will take place on Boxing Day as the Hammers visit Arsenal live on Amazon Prime, with his return to the London Stadium scheduled for weekend of 9-12 February unless they meet in East London in a cup competition beforehand.
“very proud of the part we have played in his journey…”
West Ham’s Joint-Chairman, David Sullivan has led the Hammers’ tributes as he issued the following statement: “I am sorry to see Declan leave us, but I believe that everyone at West Ham United should be very proud of the part we have played in his journey from the Academy of Football at Chadwell Heath to becoming the most valuable young player in English football.
“I would like to make it clear to our supporters that we did not want to sell Declan. We wanted to build our team around him and made a series of improved, long-term contract offers to secure his future.
“However, once Declan made it clear that he wished to move on and seek a new challenge, the Club felt it would not be right to stand in his way, acting in the best interests of West Ham United.”
Sullivan went on to praise Rice for his legacy at the club as he added: “He leaves with the sincere thanks, respect and love of everyone here, having earned his place in history alongside the great Bobby Moore and Billy Bonds as the only players to have captained West Ham United to a major trophy.
“More than that, he has always given absolutely everything for the football club throughout his time with us.
“Declan will forever hold a special place in the hearts of Hammers fans and everyone here at the Club. We wish him well for the future and he will always be an inspiration and an example to any young player coming through our Academy.”
Manager, David Moyes meanwhile issued personal thanks to Rice “for everything he has done during his time at West Ham United. Obviously it is sad when we say goodbye to someone who has been with us for so long but we must now look forward.”
Moyes proceeded to iterate that the club’s priority is to build upon last season’s European success as he continued: “West Ham United is a huge Club and, as history shows, no player is ever bigger than the Club.
“Our entire focus now is on building upon the success we enjoyed last season, adding to our talented UEFA Europa Conference League title winning squad as we enter our third consecutive season in Europe, and continuing to develop the best young talent through our successful Academy.”
“from the heart”
Rice meanwhile penned an open farewell letter to West Ham fans which he described as “from the heart,” to share his feelings upon leaving the club, as he described his exit as “an absolute whirlwind of emotion, but it is important to me that I have the opportunity to say goodbye and reflect on what has been such a special and memorable part of my life.”
Rice proceeded to speak about the club having felt like “home” since he was 14 years-old with “a sense of comfort and familiarity, almost as though it had been waiting for me. I fitted in straight away and realised just what a special club I had joined.”
He proceeded to reflect upon his days as part of West Ham’s Academy house as he commented: “My days staying at the Academy club house in Romford bring back some of the happiest memories of my life. Sharing digs with lads on the same journey at that age was such a positive influence on my development.
“I found my voice, my confidence, my sense of humour – and built friendships that will last forever.
“The ladies who supervised the house, Caroline and Jackie, looked after us like second mums, and then we had the likes of Tony Falco and the late Dennis Lepine, who not only drove us to the training ground in the minibus every day, but would happily pick us up at any time of the night or day if ever needed.
“The environment at Chadwell Heath is something truly special. Even after becoming a first-team player, I still loved going back, just to pop in for a cup of tea and a chat with the staff or the boys coming through.
“As many have said, the Academy at West Ham doesn’t just make good players, it also makes good people.
“I look back now and realise how crucial my time at Chadwell Heath was in shaping me, as a footballer and as a man. As someone who had some setbacks early on in my football career, it could have easily gone another way, but I found the perfect place to build my confidence, enabling my focus, determination and ambition to flourish.”
Rice went on to reflect upon his memories with the senior team since he made his debut, as he continued: “It seems crazy to think that it’s now more than six years since I made my first-team debut, as a substitute in the last couple of minutes of the final game of the season, away at Burnley.
“I came home on the train with my mum and dad that day, buzzing at having played in the Premier League for the first time – but I could never have imagined how things would go from there.
“So many great memories and highlights – my first goal for the Club two days before my 20th birthday, finishing in the top six of the Premier League, winning the Hammer of the Year award three times, the magical European nights under the lights at London Stadium – and all topped off by the way last season ended.
“Although our Premier League campaign didn’t pan out the way we hoped, the team showed great character and determination to get ourselves out of a tough position and finish strongly. The Under-18s then gave everyone at the Club a massive lift by winning the FA Youth Cup and League double – which set the tone for what was to follow …
“The celebrations in the dressing-room after Pablo’s last-minute goal away at Alkmaar were unforgettable – especially after the disappointment in Frankfurt a year earlier. I wasn’t sure anything could better the scenes in Alkmaar, but we managed to take it to another level in Prague.
“To have followed Bobby Moore and Billy Bonds, becoming only the third captain in the Club’s history to lift a major trophy, is something that means so much to me.
“It was the culmination of a lot of hard work, dedication and commitment – not only from the players, but from everyone connected to the club. I was genuinely lost for words when the final whistle blew. It was such an emotional release, having built up over so many years.”
The midfielder went on to pay tribute to his former coaches and teammates for their support in creating “great memories, laughs and brilliant stories” whilst having “always been there for me.”
Rice however singled out the following people across his time within the Academy for praise;
- Dave Hunt (scout)
- Tony Carr
- Paul Heffer
- Terry Westley
- Steve Potts
- Liam Manning
- Mark Phillips
Rice eventually saved the biggest tribute for former West Ham captain, Mark Nobles, as he said: “And, of course, Mr West Ham himself, Nobes. What a man. I couldn’t have asked for a better captain to play under when I started out, nor a better person to learn from in the years that followed.
“He has taught me so much – about the game, about leadership, about life. He is the heart and soul of West Ham United and I count myself so lucky to call him a great friend.”
Attention eventually turned towards supporters as Rice praised fans for being “loyal, passionate, devoted, at times hilarious, and always honest Hammers, who are massive everywhere you go…!”
Rice proceeded to thank them for taking him “into your hearts as one of your own” since he first arrived, even if only a few supporters attended youth-level games as the love grew “stronger” over the years which the 24 year-old described as “an honour.”
Addressing supporters on his emotions at leaving the club, Rice continued: “I want you to know how tough a decision it has been for me to leave an environment that I have loved and cherished so much. Ultimately, though, it has only ever been about my ambition to play at the very highest level of the game.
“Playing on the opposite team to West Ham for the first time will be an unusual experience. I’m not sure yet exactly how I will feel, but I also know you will all understand and respect that my professional loyalties have to now lie with my new Club.
“I will always give 100% every single time I pull on the shirt – because that is how I have been brought up at West Ham, and I’m sure you wouldn’t expect anything else.
“However, that does not mean my love and respect for you all has been diminished in any way. This Club and its supporters will always be in my heart, and forever a part of who I am.
“What we shared together in Prague last month, and in the celebrations that followed at Upton Park and Stratford the next day, will never, ever be forgotten. The first major trophy of my career is something that means so, so much to me.”
Rice eventually offered advice to young supporters as he concluded: “If there is one thing I have learned in my career so far, it’s that there are no guarantees in football.
“All you can do is work as hard as possible, try to be the best person you can be, and try to take the opportunities that present themselves. If you are lucky, you make some good memories along the way… and I have made so many at West Ham United.”
Leave a Reply