England international Declan Rice has completed a move to Arsenal from West Ham United, signing a long-term contract with the club.
At the age of 24, Rice brings with him extensive experience, having made 245 senior appearances for West Ham and earning 43 caps for the England national team.
Rice began his youth career at Chelsea before joining the West Ham academy in 2014. A year later, he signed his first professional contract with the club. On the final day of the 2016/17 season, Rice made his senior debut at the age of 18 and quickly became an integral part of the first-team squad, where he remained for the following six seasons.
In May 2022, Rice was named the captain of West Ham and went on to lead the team to victory in the Europa Conference League in June. He was recognized for his outstanding performance throughout the tournament and was awarded the Player of the Season title by UEFA. Rice has also been a regular fixture in the England national team, representing his country in both Euro 2020 and the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
Expressing his satisfaction with the signing, Arsenal Sporting Director Edu said, "Declan is an incredibly talented player with a proven track record at both club and international levels. The transfer process involved a collaborative effort, and we are thrilled to have Declan join us."
Edu further added, "As a young international player of high quality, Declan will significantly enhance our squad. He perfectly aligns with our strategy of developing and competing with young, talented players at the core of our club."
Manager Mikel Arteta also expressed his delight, saying, "We are delighted to welcome Declan to our team. He is an immensely talented player who has consistently performed at a high level in the Premier League and for the England national team. Declan's arrival adds undeniable quality to the club, and we believe he has the potential to achieve great success here."
Arteta highlighted Rice's leadership skills and experience, noting that at just 24 years old, he had already captained a strong West Ham side and recently lifted a European trophy. The manager expressed his excitement about Rice's role within the team and praised his impressive contributions.
Upon joining Arsenal, Rice will wear the number 41 shirt, and the entire club extends a warm welcome to him.
The completion of the transfer is contingent on the fulfillment of regulatory requirements.
A new chapter begins. pic.twitter.com/ha5Btd8I2h
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) July 15, 2023
No comments:
Post a Comment