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    West Ham confirm Declan Rice has left

    Emma TeeBy No Comments3 Mins Read

    • West Ham confirm Declan Rice has left the club for record-breaking Arsenal transfer.

    West Ham confirm Declan Rice has left
    West Ham confirm Declan Rice has left

    West Ham have announced the departure of Declan Rice, who joins Arsenal for a British record transfer fee.

    The England midfielder has been a top target for the Gunners this summer window due to their intense pursuit of him over the past few months.

    Arsenal’s interest in Rice was initially mentioned by us back in January, but they were up against tough competition to get him.

    Despite fruitful negotiations at the beginning of June, Arsenal’s low-ball offer at first infuriated West Ham.

    The Hammers persisted in their desire for a nine-figure payment to be paid mostly up front, and in the end, Arsenal agreed to a British-record £105 million cost.

    Rice chose to join Mikel Arteta’s team over offers from Chelsea, Bayern Munich, Manchester City, and others who finally declined to match the Gunners’ final offer.

    And the 24-year-old is currently at the Emirates Stadium after successfully switching across London.

    In keeping with the traditions of club icons Bobby Moore and Billy Bonds, Rice departs West Ham as one of just three players to have won the trophy while serving as the team’s captain.

    At the conclusion of the 2022–23 season, when they defeated Fiorentina in a historic final in Prague, he was a key player in their victory in the Europa Conference League.

    A statement issued by the Hammers issued this morning (Saturday) read: “West Ham United can confirm that agreement has been reached for Declan Rice to leave the Club for a British record transfer fee.”

    Joint-chair David Sullivan said: “I am sorry to see Declan leave us, but I believe that everyone at West Ham United should be very proud of the part we have played in his journey from the Academy of Football at Chadwell Heath to becoming the most valuable young player in English football.

    “I would like to make it clear to our supporters that we did not want to sell Declan. We wanted to build our team around him and made a series of improved, long-term contract offers to secure his future.

    “However, once Declan made it clear that he wished to move on and seek a new challenge, the Club felt it would not be right to stand in his way, acting in the best interests of West Ham United.

    “He leaves with the sincere thanks, respect and love of everyone here, having earned his place in history alongside the great Bobby Moore and Billy Bonds as the only players to have captained West Ham United to a major trophy. More than that, he has always given absolutely everything for the football club throughout his time with us.”

    Meanwhile, Hammer boss David Moyes added: “I’d like to personally thank Declan for everything he has done during his time at West Ham United. Obviously, it is sad when we say goodbye to someone who has been with us for so long but we must now look forward.

    “West Ham United is a huge Club and, as history shows, no player is ever bigger than the Club. Our entire focus now is on building upon the success we enjoyed last season, adding to our talented UEFA Europa Conference League title winning squad as we enter our third consecutive season in Europe, and continuing to develop the best young talent through our successful Academy.”

     

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