Declan Rice explains 'tough decision' to leave in emotional goodbye to West Ham fans as exit confirmed
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Updated 15/07/2023 at 10:44 GMT
Declan Rice penned an emotional open letter to West Ham fans ahead of his imminent move to Arsenal. The 24-year-old Englishman says it was a "tough decision" to leave the club he joined as a 14-year-old but insists it was taken purely for footballing reasons. Rice made 245 appearances for West Ham and famously captained the side to their first major European trophy since 1965.
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Declan Rice has issued an emotional “goodbye” to West Ham fans ahead of his imminent departure to Arsenal.
The 24-year-old captained the Hammers to a first major European trophy since 1965 before agreeing a £105 million deal to leave the club he joined at the age of 14.
Rice explained how “tough” a decision it was in a lengthy open letter on the West Ham website and opened up on the reasons behind the move.
“I wanted to speak to you personally and directly, from the heart, to share my thoughts now that my departure from West Ham United has been confirmed,” Rice wrote.
“The last few days and weeks have been an absolute whirlwind of emotion, but it is important to me that I have the opportunity to say goodbye and reflect on what has been such a special and memorable part of my life.”
He added: “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. Ultimately, though, it has only ever been about my ambition to play at the very highest level of the game.
“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% 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.”
Rice joined the West Ham academy at the age of 14 after being released by Chelsea, going on to make his senior debut in the final game of the 2016/17 season.
He has since gone on to make 245 appearances for the Hammers, scoring 15 goals in that time. He was then made club captain after Mark Noble retired in 2022, leading the side to a memorable Europa Conference League final victory over Fiorentina.
However, in the aftermath of that achievement, David Gold, the club’s chairman, confirmed he had given Rice assurances he could leave, with Arsenal capturing the Englishman’s signature after interest from Manchester City.
West Ham also confirmed Rice’s departure, with joint-chairman David Sullivan insisting the club “did not want to sell Declan.”
He added: “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.”
Manager David Moyes also paid tribute to Rice, saying: “I’d like to personally thank Declan for everything he has done during his time at West Ham United. Obviously it is sad when we say goodbye to someone who has been with us for so long but we must now look forward."
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