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Declan Rice’s £105m Arsenal transfer CONFIRMED making him most expensive English player as shirt number revealed
DECLAN RICE has completed his £105million move to Arsenal.
The England star leaves West Ham after six years with the club having captained them to the Europa Conference League trophy last season.
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West Ham confirmed his exit in a tweet reading: "We can confirm Declan Rice has left the Club."
Arsenal then announced his arrival, saying: "England international Declan Rice has joined us from West Ham United on a long-term contract."
Rice, 24, has finally signed after the two London sides agreed on a payment structure, with Arsenal paying £100m by 2025 with a further £5m in bonuses.
His £105million move from East to North London sees him become 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.
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Rice joins up with Arsenal's squad for their flight on Sunday for the pre-season tour of America.
Manager Mikel Arteta said: “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.
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"The responsibility and role he has taken on has been very impressive and we are really excited that he is joining us.”
It has been revealed that Rice will wear the No41 jersey at 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 centre 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.”
Rice himself penned an emotional letter to West Ham fans, saying it was a "tough" decision to join the Gunners.
WEST HAM REACTION
In a statement confirming his departure, West Ham said: "West Ham United can confirm that agreement has been reached for Declan Rice to leave the Club for a British record transfer fee."
West Ham manager David Moyes said: “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.
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."
LONG RUNNING SAGA
Rice's exit ends a long-running transfer saga which has left West Ham angry with the delay, as Arsenal's lawyers spent nearly two weeks signing off Rice's new contract - believed to be worth £200,000 per week.
Earlier this summer champions Man City made a bid worth £90m, only to pull out of the race.
It left the Gunners with a clear path to sign Rice, having already agreed on personal terms for the club-record deal.
The move surpasses the previous £72m fee Arsenal paid Lille for Nicolas Pepe in 2019.
Mikel Arteta has already signed Kai Havertz from Chelsea and Ajax defender Jurrien Timber.
Rice could take Granit Xhaka's place in the side with the Swiss star closing in on a move to Bayer Leverkusen.
The Gunners are also ready to listen to offers for Thomas Partey following Rice's arrival.
Rice joined Chelsea's academy at the age of six, in 2006, and stayed until he was released eight years later, when he joined West Ham's academy.
He broke into the first team aged 17, and has twice been voted the club's Player of the Year.
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He has made 204 Premier League appearances for the club, and has scored ten goals.
Rice also has 43 caps for England, and helped the Three Lions reach the final of Euro 2020 and the quarter-finals of the 2022 World Cup.
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