West Ham United and midfielder Declan Rice have bid farewell on social media ahead of his expected transfer to Arsenal on Saturday, relays the DailyCannon. While the formal confirmation from Arsenal is still pending, West Ham United has officially announced Rice’s departure, stating that he will be leaving the club for a British record fee. The club’s higher-ups, including joint West Ham Chair David Sullivan and manager David Moyes, expressed their gratitude and good wishes for Rice’s future.
David Sullivan, Joint West Ham Chair, expressed regret at Rice’s departure while acknowledging the role the club played in his development. He stated that West Ham wanted to build their team around Rice and made multiple contract offers to secure his future. However, once Rice expressed his desire for a new challenge, the club respected his decision and wished him well. David Moyes, West Ham manager, also thanked Rice for his contributions and emphasized the club’s focus on moving forward.
Declan Rice released a statement expressing his gratitude to the club, academy, teammates, and fans. He recounted his memories of his time in the club’s academy, his promotion to the first team, and the recent Europa Conference League victory. Rice thanked the board, coaches, staff, colleagues, and friends who supported him throughout his journey. He mentioned his ambition to play at the highest level as the reason behind his departure. He also explained that “it has only ever been about my ambition to play at the very highest level of the game”.
Declan Rice’s imminent transfer to Arsenal marks the end of his successful tenure at West Ham United. The club’s officials, including David Sullivan and David Moyes, praised Rice’s contributions and wished him success in his future endeavors. While West Ham will miss Rice, their focus remains on building upon the successes of the previous season and nurturing young talent. As Rice embarks on a new chapter, his departure serves as a testament to his ambition and the growth he achieved during his time at West Ham United.