Declan Rice joins Arsenal from West Ham

By Peter Ochieng

England international Declan Rice has completed his transfer to Arsenal, from Premier League rivals West Ham United.

The 24-year-old midfielder, trades the Hammers for the Gunners on a long term contract.

He comes with acres of experience, having made 245 senior appearances for West Ham, besides managing 43 caps for England.

Rice started his youth career at Chelsea, before joining the West Ham academy in 2014.

He signed his first professional contract a year later.

On the final day of the 2016/17 season, an 18-year-old Declan made his senior debut, and soon became an integral part of the Hammers first-team squad for the following six seasons.

He was named club captain in May, 2022 and went on to lead the Hammers to the Europa Conference League title in June, 2023.

Arsenal Sporting Director Edu said they have landed a fantastic player.

"Declan is a player with fantastic ability and a proven record at both club and international levels. The process of this transfer has been a big team effort with a clear plan, and we are so happy that Declan is joining us," said Edu as quoted by the club website.

Manager Mikel Arteta said:

“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."

Before his transfer to Arsenal was officially announced, he said leaving West Ham was one of the difficult decisions he had to make.

"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."

He will wear the number 41 shirt at Arsenal.