DECLAN RICE is now an Arsenal player.
The England star 24, has broken the British transfer record and signed for the Gunners in a stunning £105million deal.
It completes a remarkable rise for the midfielder who was snubbed by Chelsea as a youngster.
He went on to become a West Ham teen sensation, comparable to Bobby Moore, before leading the club to European glory.
While Rice could have been playing his international football for Ireland, if he hadn’t made a last-minute U-turn to play for the Three Lions.
Chelsea reject
Rice’s rise to prominence didn’t come without its disappointments.
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In his early years, he played with best mate Mason Mount in Chelsea’s youth sides.
All he ever knew was Chelsea – joining the club at the tender age of seven.
But in 2013, his world came crashing down when he was let go by the Blues.
“I was released by Chelsea at 14 years old,” Rice recalled in 2018.
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“I remember it, a Tuesday night. On the Wednesday I was training with Fulham, five minutes from my house, and then on the Thursday I was training with West Ham.
“After one session at both clubs they both wanted me. There was interest from other clubs as well but I made the switch to West Ham. I had to change house, change school, so it was a massive decision – and it’s paid off.
“When Chelsea let me go it was really deflating. For me, as a youngster, it’s all I ever knew – living 10 minutes from the training ground, going to loads of the games.
“It’s one of those where you’ve just got to pick yourself up and go again. I think some of the boys at Chelsea might be thinking ‘Wow! Look at Dec doing well for West Ham’.”
Spurred on by John Terry
In the crestfallen teenager’s moment of need, club legend John Terry reached out to the future star who had idolised him as a child.
Rice told the Times in 2018: “John would speak to the parents and take his time to get to know young players and families. For a club captain to do that is quality.
“I based my whole game on John when I was younger. When I was released by Chelsea he called for 45 minutes and I remember I was sat in my room next to my dad.
“It was John Terry – I could not believe it.
“He handed over all his experience and advice. He said to never stop, always keep working hard and give everything you have.
“It stayed in my head, and look where I am now. No dream is far away.
“I last met John for a two-hour breakfast with my cousin about six months ago. Sometimes I text him, like when he retired and he replied ‘Thanks mate, it is your time now.'”
West Ham became his next port of call, in a decision that would define his career.
West Ham legend
As he came through the youth teams, those in the know tipped Rice to become a Hammers legend in the vain of Bobby Moore.
He made his senior debut aged 18 against Burnley as a 91st minute substitute on the last day of the 2016-17 season
His full debut came the following campaign in a 3-2 defeat to Southampton.
It was the breakthrough he craved, finishing runner-up in the Hammer of the Year award to Marko Arnautovic.
In 2019, after netting his first goal for the club against Arsenal in a 1-0 win, he was nominated for PFA Young Player of the Year award.
Although it was awarded to Raheem Sterling, Rice was crowned West Ham’s Player of the Year which would have cushioned the blow.
But in the background, a fight for his international future was coming to its head.
Tug of war
Although he was born in Kingston upon Thames, London, Rice was eligible to play for Ireland because his grandparents Margarat and Jack hail from Cork.
He starred for Ireland’s U16 through to U21’s.
The promising youngster was then selected by Martin O’Neill to play friendlies against Mexico and Uruguay and a World Cup qualifier at home to Austria.
He made his senior debut against Turkey in a 1-0 loss, but as his star began to grow he was approached by England to switch allegiances.
Rice was omitted from a squad to play Wales in 2018 by O’Neill, who admitted the player’s head was turned.
He missed out on a further three squads, admitting he was no clearer on his decision who to pick – England or Ireland.
Mick McCarthy made a last-ditch attempt to persuade Rice to stick with the Irish, upselling the idea that he was captain material and he would build a side around him.
However, in February 2019 Rice pledged his future to England – making his debut in a Euro 2020 qualifier against Czech Republic.
He would later reveal he received death threats online from irate football fans.
Success story
Rice’s epic rise has continued for club and country.
He was an integral part of the Three Lions side that reached the Euro 2020 final, losing out heartbreakingly to Italy on penalties.
Playing all seven games in the tournament, he drew plaudits from pundits and rival fans who lauded him as a Rolls-Royce of a player.
That outpouring of love continued overseas, after his winning goal secured his country’s first win away against Italy since 1961 in a recent Euro 2024 qualifier.
He was the star of the show – with the Italian media giddy over his outstanding game. It was fitting given the opposition caused him his biggest upset in football.
As for his biggest success, that came with the Hammers last campaign.
In what was a fitting end to his career at West Ham, he ended it on a high in Prague some 245 games later.
A last-gasp victory against Fiorentina in the Europa Conference League final cemented his legendary status in Hammers folklore.
After his stellar performance, no one could begrudge Rice for sleeping with the trophy that night.
Family man
Off the pitch, Rice is supported by his longterm girlfriend Lauren Fryer, 24.
The pair met at school, before they began dating at the tender age of 17.
Last year they became proud parents to son Jude, keeping Lauren’s pregnancy secret to avoid public scrutiny.
It only became public knowledge when Rice was spotted with a new tattoo on his arm bearing his son’s name alongside a star sign for a Leo.
The couple’s preference is to keep their profile private.
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However, they did share a snap with singer Liam Gallagher together.
For Rice’s next trick, he will hope to topple the ex-Oasis star’s beloved Man City in the Premier League title race.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
