Arsenal Finally Announce Signing Of Declan Rice From West Ham In £105million Deal

Arsenal Football Club has finally announced the signing of England midfielder, Declan Rice from West Ham United for a record-breaking fee of £105 million.

The Gunners had faced initial rejection with bids of £80 million and £90 million before reaching an agreement with West Ham for the substantial sum.

The 24-year-old midfielder has now signed a five-year contract with Arsenal and is set to earn a reported £250,000 per week.

The £105 million deal is structured with an initial payment of £100 million spread over 24 months, along with £5 million in add-ons. The add-ons are contingent on Arsenal qualifying for the UEFA Champions League and Rice starting 60 percent of the team’s matches.

Rice’s arrival marks Arsenal’s third major signing of the summer, following the arrivals of German playmaker Kai Havertz from Chelsea for £65 million and Ajax defender Jurrien Timber for £40 million.

Declan Rice’s move to Arsenal ended his remarkable decade-long journey with West Ham, progressing from a youth-team player to club captain.

Having made 245 appearances for the Hammers since his debut in 2017, Rice’s final match for the club saw him lift West Ham’s first trophy in 43 years by winning the Europa Conference League final.

Arsenal announced the deal by live-streaming a video of Rice being introduced to his teammates in a meeting on Saturday, July 15, 2023.

Speaking on his move, Rice expressed his excitement about joining Arsenal, stressing that he is determined to take his game to another level with the Gunners and praised the club’s manager Mikel Arteta.

Declan Rice said, “In football, amazing opportunities arise. Big clubs, like Arsenal, have come for me and it’s really hard to turn down.

“You only ever get one career and I really believe in what Mikel is building here and the squad he’s building. I’m really looking forward to the future with Arsenal.

“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.

“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.”

In an official club statement, manager Mikel Arteta expressed his delight with Rice’s arrival, emphasizing the player’s exceptional ability and impressive experience in the Premier League and with the England national team.

He 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.”

Arsenal’s sporting director, Edu, echoed these sentiments, emphasizing Rice’s fantastic ability and his alignment with the club’s strategy of nurturing young, talented players.

“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,” he said.

With Declan Rice – who will take the No.41 shirt – joining the Arsenal squad ahead of the upcoming season, the club aims to build a strong team and compete at the highest level.

KanyiDaily recalls that Arsenal Football Club had also made an enhanced offer of £60 million for Chelsea forward, Kai Havertz, with a £210,000-per-week contract.