Declan Rice Joins Arsenal From West Ham In British Record Transfer

Declan Rice has completed his record-breaking transfer from West Ham United to Arsenal.

Rice joined Arsenal on Saturday, ending one of the biggest transfer sagas of the summer.

The 24-year-old has become the most expensive British footballer ever, breaking the record set by Jack Grealish's £100 million move from Aston Villa to Manchester City in 2021.

West Ham had previously rejected two offers from Arsenal for Rice, as well as one from Man City, before finally accepting a deal worth £105 million.

Arsenal will pay West Ham a guaranteed sum of £100m, paid in three instalments over 24 months, plus a potential further £5m in performance-related add-ons.

That deal was provisionally agreed on July 4 but it took nearly two weeks for everything to be signed and sealed.

This delay was said to be due to Arsenal's lawyers scrutinizing the wording of the relevant paperwork.

But Arsenal finally announced Rice's arrival on Saturday when a club statement read: "England international Declan Rice has joined us from West Ham United on a long-term contract.

"The 24-year-old midfielder already has vast experience, making 245 senior appearances for the Hammers as well as winning 43 caps for the Three Lions.

"Declan started his youth career at Chelsea, before joining the West Ham academy in 2014, and signed his first professional contract a year later. On the final day of the 2016/17 season, an 18-year-old Declan made his senior debut and soon became an integral part of their first-team squad for the following six seasons.

"He was named club captain in May 2022 and went on to lead the Hammers to the Europa Conference League title in June, and was named the tournament's Player of the Season by UEFA. A regular with the England national team, he featured at both Euro 2020 and the 2022 FIFA World Cup."

Arsenal sporting director Edu added within the statement: "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."

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.

"The responsibility and role he has taken on has been very impressive and we are really excited that he is joining us."

Rice, who will wear the no.41 jersey for Arsenal, later explained why he had chosen to move to the Emirates Stadium in his first interview for the club's official website.

He said: "I've been looking at Arsenal over the last couple of seasons and the trajectory they've been going on. Not last season but the season before, they finished fifth but you could see the style of play Mikel was implementing. Last season was an outstanding season, blowing pretty much every team out of the water with the exception of Man City.

"With Mikel and how he works, the squad, how young everyone is, the energy around the club and also the challenge of getting Arsenal back to where they belong, that means a lot to me. I know the fans really want that. For me as a player, I've come here really hungry to have more success and to spend my best years at this great club."

Rice had published a 1,488-word open letter to West Ham fans hours before his transfer to Arsenal was publicly announced.

In it, he claimed that West Ham would always be in his heart and vowed to forever "love and respect" the club.