By Taiwo Ibrahim
Arsenal have completed the signing of Declan Rice from West Ham in a deal worth a record 105 million pounds, Sportivationng.com reports.
Rice has signed a five-year contract with Arsenal in a deal which has the option of a further year.
The Gunners confirmed the signing on their website on Saturday.
“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,” Arteta said in a statement.
“Declan is bringing undoubted quality to the club and he is an exceptional talent who has the potential to be very successful here.”
The 24-year-old’s transfer fee surpasses the 100 million pounds Manchester City paid Aston Villa for England midfielder Jack Grealish in 2021.
Rice also became Arsenal’s most expensive signing, eclipsing the 72 million pounds they paid Lille for Nicolas Pepe in 2019, but the fee falls short of the 107 million pounds Chelsea paid to sign Benfica midfielder Enzo Fernandez this year.
Rice left West Ham having guided them to the Europa Conference League title and a 14th-placed finish in the Premier League.
He was named the Europa Conference League’s player of the season for his role in West Ham’s victory, which earned them their first major European trophy in over half a century and first major title since the FA Cup in 1980.
“Declan has great experience in the Premier League at only 24 years old,” Arteta said.
“He has captained a very good West Ham team and as we all saw, he recently lifted a European trophy. The responsibility and role he has taken on has been very impressive and we are really excited that he is joining us.”
💬 “Today I’ve had my first day and I’m feeling really at home”
We’re so excited to have you, Declan ❤️
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) July 15, 2023
“I’ve been looking at Arsenal over the last couple of seasons and the trajectory they’ve been going on,” Rice said on Arsenal’s website.
The moment Declan Rice was announced as an Arsenal player, live on Arsenal’s YouTube channel. 📺 #afc pic.twitter.com/PcdJ1e3lg7
— afcstuff (@afcstuff) July 15, 2023
“Not last season but the season before, they finished fifth but you could see the style of play Mikel was implementing. Last season was an outstanding season, blowing pretty much every team out of the water with the exception of Man City.”
He becomes their third signing of this transfer window after Kai Havertz from Chelsea and defender Jurrien Timber from Ajax Amsterdam.
Arsenal face Premier League and FA Cup winners City in the Community Shield on Aug. 6, before taking on Nottingham Forest in their opening league match on Aug. 12. (Reuters)
