- I want to play at the “very highest level”, Rice told West Ham fans
- “We’re really happy that Declan is joining us”, Arteta said
- He said “Declan is bringing undoubted quality to the club”
Arsenal have officially announced the signing of Declan Rice in what is now record transfer for a British player.
Arsenal signed the England midfielder from West Ham for a reported £105 million pounds ($137.5 million).
Rice’s colossus move exceeded the previous record £100 million fee paid by Manchester City for Jack Grealish in 2021 as Arsenal continue their spending spree in a bid to challenge for the Premier League title next season.
The 24-year-old said in a letter to West Ham supporters that his desire to play at the “very highest level” lay behind his decision to join Arsenal.
Rice’s switch to the Emirates Stadium on a long-term contract comes just months after he lifted West Ham’s first major trophy since 1980 in the Europa Conference League final against Fiorentina.
Having moved across London, Rice will now be competing for the Champions League rather than Europe’s third-tier trophy.
“In football, amazing opportunities arise. Big clubs, like Arsenal, have come for me and it’s really hard to turn down,” Rice told Arsenal’s website.
“You only ever get one career and I really believe in what Mikel (Arteta) is building here and the squad he’s building. I’m really looking forward to the future with Arsenal.”
Rice is confident the future is bright for a young Arsenal team featuring emerging stars like Bukayo Saka, William Saliba and Gabriel Martinelli.
“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,” Rice said.
“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.
“I know he (Arteta) is going to get the best out of me. I know I’ve got more levels to go up in my game and I feel like he’s the manager to take me to those next levels. I am really excited to be working with him.”
Rice has a massive fee to justify after he joined Germany forward Kai Havertz and Netherlands defender Jurrien Timber as the new recruits in Mikel Arteta’s squad.
“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,” Arteta said.
“Declan is bringing undoubted quality to the club and he is an exceptional talent who has the potential to be very successful here.
“The responsibility and role he has taken on has been very impressive and we are really excited that he is joining us.”
AFP