England international Declan Rice has completed his move to Arsenal from West Ham United, signing a long-term contract with the club.
The 24-year-old midfielder brings a wealth of experience to the team, having made 245 senior appearances for West Ham and earning 43 caps for the England national team.
Declan Rice began his youth career at Chelsea before joining the West Ham academy in 2014. He signed his first professional contract a year later and made his senior debut for the club on the final day of the 2016/17 season. Since then, he has been a key figure in the West Ham first-team squad for six seasons.
Declan Rice and His Achievements.
In May 2022, Declan Rice was appointed club captain, leading West Ham to victory in the Europa Conference League in June. His exceptional performances earned him the prestigious Player of the Season award from UEFA. Additionally, Rice has been a regular presence in the England national team, representing his country in both the Euro 2020 and 2022 FIFA World Cup tournaments.
Arsenal Sporting Director Edu expressed his delight at the signing, praising Rice’s outstanding abilities and track record at both club and international levels. He emphasized the collective effort that went into securing the transfer and highlighted Rice’s alignment with Arsenal’s strategy of nurturing young, talented players.
Manager Mikel Arteta also shared his excitement about Rice’s arrival, recognizing his remarkable skills and experience in the Premier League. Arteta commended Rice’s leadership qualities as demonstrated by his captaincy at West Ham and his recent European trophy triumph. He expressed confidence in Rice’s potential to make a significant impact at Arsenal.
Rice will don the number 41 shirt for Arsenal, and the entire club extends a warm welcome to him. The completion of the transfer is pending regulatory processes.
Declan Rice’s transfer to Arsenal:
- The transfer fee is a club-record for Arsenal, surpassing the £72 million they paid for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang in 2018.
- Rice has signed a long-term contract with Arsenal, reportedly worth £200,000 per week.
- He will wear the number 4 shirt, which was previously worn by Granit Xhaka.
- Declan Rice is expected to make his debut for Arsenal in their pre-season friendly against Everton on July 17th.
Declan Rice is a versatile midfielder who can play in a number of positions, including as a defensive midfielder, a central midfielder, or even as a right-back. He is strong in the tackle, good in possession, and has a good passing range. He is also a good leader and has been captain of West Ham on a number of occasions.
Rice’s arrival is a major boost for Arsenal’s midfield. He will provide much-needed stability and leadership in the middle of the park. He is also a good fit for Arteta’s style of play, which is based on possession and pressing.
Rice is a talented player who has the potential to be a key player for Arsenal for many years to come. He is a welcome addition to the squad and will be hoping to help the Gunners challenge for the Premier League title next season
