New Delhi: Arsenal signed English midfielder Declan Rice for a long-term contract from West Ham United, the north London club said on Saturday, with manager Mikel Arteta describing the England international as an “exceptional talent”.
grew up in South 💪
made name in East 👏
now, a new adventure: North London 🔴@_DeclanRice @Arsenal pic.twitter.com/vuYtQz5SWV---Advertisement---— adidas Football (@adidasfootball) July 15, 2023
Rice officially joins Arsenal
Rice had been linked with a move away from West Ham for years, but it became a question of when and not if once the club’s chairman David Sullivan revealed that the captain had been promised a transfer on the morning after winning this year’s Europa Conference League.
West Ham, officially announced the exit of the Rice in a Tweet, “We can confirm Declan Rice has left the Club.”
Arsenal, confirmed his arrival, “England international Declan Rice has joined us from West Ham United on a long-term contract.”
The 24-year-old has finally signed with Arsenal paying £100m by 2025 with a further £5m in bonuses.
Most expensive move among English players
His £105million move from East to North London made him the most expensive English player ever – although this could be surpassed by Jude Bellingham’s move to Real Madrid which could reach £115m if various clauses are met.
Arsenal handed his new arrival, Rice would wear the same jersey number 41, that he was randomly assigned at West Ham when he was promoted to the first team and stuck with the bulky digit even as he became a fixture of the starting XI.
Rice don with jersey number 4, when he plays for England. But his Three Lions teammate Ben White occupies that at the Emirates.
💬 “My ambitions now are to win with Arsenal again. It’s time to go one step bigger and win the Premier League, win the Champions League, and I wouldn’t be here if I did not believe that.” pic.twitter.com/BBXsQOAoqE
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) July 15, 2023
Why does Declan Rice wear number 41?
Rice has revealed there is no special reason behind why he wears the No.41 – it just happened to be what he was given as a teenager.
In an interview with Gary Neville on The Overlap, he said: “It was just the number I was given in the academy by the kitman.
“When you are in the Under-23s there are the first team squad numbers and then it gets to the higher numbers and I was given 41 when I went to Seattle on my first trip with the first-team. I was just given 41 and it has stayed with me since,” he said.
“And to be honest with you – I have been having these conversations with my dad – regardless of what happens in my career I may stay with 41,” Rice said.
