Declan Rice has completed his £105 million British record transfer from West Ham to Arsenal.
The England midfielder’s exit from the team he joined ten years ago was officially announced by Arsenal on Saturday afternoon after being confirmed by the Hammers.
Rice, a previous captain of the Irons, led his former team to win in the Europa Conference League final against Fiorentina. Rice’s move to the Emirates Stadium on a long-term contract makes him the most expensive English footballer in history.
Rice revealed in an open letter to West Ham supporters earlier on Saturday that he made the “difficult” decision to depart because he wanted to compete in the Champions League, which Arsenal will host next season.
After Rice declined the offer of a very lucrative new deal, West Ham’s joint-chairman David Sullivan revealed last month that the east London club had a gentleman’s agreement with Rice allowing him to depart this summer.
Rice played for the Irons in 245 games, with his final one helping the team win its first trophy since 1980.
Rice declared, “This club and its fans will always remain in my heart and forever a part of who I am. But in the end, it’s always just been about my desire to compete at the highest level possible.
“It will be an interesting sensation to play for the first time against West Ham.
Although I’m not yet sure how I’ll feel, I know you’ll all respect and understand that my new club is where I must now place my professional loyalty.
Rice is the most recent player to join an Arsenal team that has already improved throughout the summer, with the arrival of Dutch defender Jurrien Timber having been officially announced on Friday.
German international Kai Havertz left Chelsea, and William Saliba and Reiss Nelson signed new, long-term contracts with the Gunners to secure their futures there.
Given that Granit Xhaka left to join Bayer Leverkusen, the addition of Rice will expand Mikel Areta’s options in the middle of the pitch as Arsenal seeks to catch up to Manchester City after finishing second in the Premier League last year.
A new chapter begins. pic.twitter.com/ha5Btd8I2h
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) July 15, 2023