Arsenal Sign Midfielder, Declan Rice From West Ham
Arsenal have completed the signing of England midfielder, Declan Rice from West Ham for a club-record fee of £105m.
The deal eclipses the £72m Arsenal paid for Nicolas Pepe from Lille in 2019, while it is also a record transfer fee between two British clubs.
Rice, who has penned a long-term contract at Arsenal where he will wear the number 41 shirt, brings a decade-long spell at West Ham to an end, rising from a youth-team player to club captain.
He made a total of 245 appearances for the Hammers after making his first-team debut in 2017 and his final game for the club saw him lift West Ham’s first trophy in 43 years by winning the Europa Conference League final.
Mikel Arteta told the club’s official website: “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.
“Declan has great experience in the Premier League at only 24 years old. He has captained a very good West Ham team and as we all saw, he recently lifted a European trophy.
“The responsibility and role he has taken on has been very impressive and we are really excited that he is joining us.”
Meanwhile, Arsenal sporting director Edu said: “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.
“Declan is a high-quality, young international player who will add great strength to our squad, fitting so well into our strategy of competing with young talented players at the center of our club.
“It’s great that Declan will be joining up with Mikel, our coaches, and his new teammates in good time ahead of the new season.”
