“West Ham United can confirm that agreement has been reached for Declan Rice to leave the club for a British record transfer fee,” read a statment published on West Ham’s website.
“The 24-year-old England midfielder leaves the Hammers having made a total of 245 senior appearances for the club – the last of which finished in glory last month as he lifted the UEFA Europa Conference League trophy in Prague to end our 43-year wait for a major honour.”
David Moyes, who nurtured Rice through his formative years as a professional admitted that it was sad to lose his skipper – but made it quite clear that “no player is bigger than the club”.
“I’d like to personally thank Declan for everything he has done during his time at West Ham United,” he said. “Obviously it is sad when we say goodbye to someone who has been with us for so long but we must now look forward.
“West Ham United is a huge club. Our entire focus now is on building upon the success we enjoyed last season, adding to our talented UEFA Europa Conference League title winning squad as we enter our third consecutive season in Europe, and continuing to develop the best young talent through our successful Academy.”
And chairman David Sullivan, who was seen hugging Rice in Prague – 24 hours before he told TalkSport that his captain was destined to leave imminently – added: “I am sorry to see Declan leave us.
“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.
“He leaves with the sincere thanks, respect and love of everyone here, having earned his place in history alongside the great Bobby Moore and Billy Bonds as the only players to have captained West Ham United to a major trophy. More than that, he has always given absolutely everything for the football club throughout his time with us.
“Declan will forever hold a special place in the hearts of Hammers fans and everyone here at the club. We wish him well for the future and he will always be an inspiration and an example to any young player coming through our Academy.”
Despite West Ham’s confirmation of the deal, as of midday Saturday Arsenal are yet to make any reference to Rice’s arrival on their website.
