The formalization will have taken time, but that’s it, Declan Rice is an Arsenal player. At 24, the England international (43 caps, 3 goals) left West Ham to join another, bigger, more ambitious London club. After being trained in the south-west of the capital, at Chelsea, the midfielder had finished his range with the Hammers, until his professional debut. Since then, the latter has established himself among the best players in his position in the Premier League, which explains the sum paid by the Gunners to bring him in (120 M€).
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On Instagram, Declan Rice has finally communicated on his departure through a video and a poignant text. “I can’t believe 10 amazing years have come to an end. West Ham have been an integral part of my life, on and off the pitch. Saying goodbye is never easy. I lived incredible moments, none of which was stronger than that night in Prague. I also grew a lot as a person, as a player and as a captain. From the moment I captained the team, under Nobes, I felt nothing but pride and passion. As captain, the presentation of the European trophy was the icing on the cake. My bond with the supporters means everything to me and my family. You have treated us as one of your own since the day I arrived. Thank you. Everyone knows what a special club West Ham are. This goes for all managers, coaches, backroom staff and, of course, my teammates. Thank you for the amazing memories you left me with and for some of the best days of my life. I love you all”, he said, paying tribute to the London club and its many supporters. In the end, Declan Rice will have marked the recent history of the Hammers, notably by winning the Europa League Conference in 2023, the first continental title for the Irons since 1965.
