West Ham United have confirmed that Declan Rice has left the club ahead of his expected £105million ($137m) transfer to Arsenal.
The east London club say an agreement has been reached for the 24-year-old England international to leave for a British record transfer fee.
The Athletic reported earlier this month that the midfielder had been given permission to undergo a medical and finalise personal terms after fellow London side Arsenal had settled on a price of £100million plus a potential £5m in add-ons.
In a statement to supporters posted on West Ham’s official website, Rice, who made 245 appearances for the club after graduating from their academy, says a club he had joined at age 14 will “always be in my heart”.
“I want you to know how tough a decision it has been for me to leave an environment that I have loved and cherished so much,” Rice, who captained West Ham to Europa Conference League final victory in May, says.
“Ultimately, though, it has only ever been about my ambition to play at the very highest level of the game.
“To have followed Bobby Moore and Billy Bonds, becoming only the third captain in the club’s history to lift a major trophy, is something that means so much to me.
“Playing on the opposite team to West Ham for the first time will be an unusual experience. I’m not sure yet exactly how I will feel but I also know you will all understand and respect that my professional loyalties have to now lie with my new club.
“I will always give 100 per cent every single time I pull on the shirt – because that is how I have been brought up at West Ham, and I’m sure you wouldn’t expect anything else. However, that does not mean my love and respect for you all has been diminished in any way. This club and its supporters will always be in my heart, and forever a part of who I am.”
That first meeting could come on December 26, when West Ham are scheduled to visit Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium in the Premier League.
West Ham chairman David Sullivan, meanwhile, says his club felt they had no option but to allow Rice to leave in this transfer window.
“I would like to make it clear to our supporters that we did not want to sell Declan,” he says.
“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.”
(Photo: Marc Atkins/Getty Images)
