West Ham have confirmed that Declan Rice has left the club ahead of his long-anticipated move to Arsenal.
The two clubs agreed a deal last week for the England international, though delays have arisen while the legal documents were finalised by the club’s lawyers.
West Ham finally confirmed on Saturday morning that Rice had left the club for a ‘British record transfer fee’, which is widely reported to be worth £105 million.
Rice made 245 senior appearances for the East London outfit, scoring 15 goals, and became just the third West Ham captain to lift a trophy with the Irons following their Europa Conference League triumph over Fiorentina last month
Arsenal are yet to confirm the deal, though Rice has admitted it will be an ‘unusual experience’ to line up against the Hammers, having been with the club since the age of 14.
“Playing on the opposite team to West Ham for the first time will be an unusual experience,” Rice said in a heartfelt message to supporters.
“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.”
Rice becomes Arsenal’s third major summer signing following the arrivals of Kai Havertz from Chelsea and Jurrien Timber from Ajax.
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