Declan Rice said his desire to play at the “very highest level” lay behind his decision to leave West Ham for Arsenal in a transfer that is set to make him the most expensive English footballer in history.
The 24-year-old England midfielder explained on Saturday why
he was leaving in an open letter to the club’s fans.
The Hammers also confirmed his exit on Saturday although
London rivals Arsenal have still to confirm the deal, for a reported 105
million pounds (122.2 million euros, 137.5 million dollars) fee, has gone
through.
Rice’s final act as a West Ham player was to become only the
third captain in their history, behind England great Bobby Moore and club
legend Billy Bonds, to lift a major trophy following last month’s Europa
Conference League victory over Fiorentina.
West Ham tried to keep him but the lure of Champions League
football at Arsenal proved too strong.
“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 said in
his letter to the Hammers’ faithful.
“This club and its supporters will always be in my heart,
and forever a part of who I am.
“Ultimately, though, it has only ever been about my ambition
to play at the very highest level of the game.”
West Ham joint-chairman David Sullivan said last month that
the club had an agreement with Rice to allow him to leave in the pre-season
transfer window after the player rejected the offer of a lucrative new
contract.
“I am sorry to see Declan leave us but 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,” Sullivan said in a statement.
“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.”
Rice made 245 appearances for the club and bowed out by
helping them win a first major piece of silverware since the 1980 FA Cup.
Hammers manager David Moyes said: “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.” AFP
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