Since Rice’s departure, he and the club have taken different paths with Rice often being a standout performer for Arsenal and England, whilst West Ham has struggled following poor reinvestment.
Despite leaving the club, Rice has shown his respect for the Hammers, scoring at the London Stadium in the 2023-24 season and refusing to celebrate.
Declan Rice left West Ham to join Arsenal
Declan Rice has a lot of love for West Ham
Rice came through the academy at West Ham, joining the club at the age of 14, and making over 200 appearances.
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The emotional connection he had to the club made it an extremely tough decision to either leave to reach his dreams of playing at the top, or stay at a club that felt like “home.”
Rice said: “It has been a tough decision to leave an environment that I have loved and cherished so much.”
Since leaving, Rice has become a household name, establishing himself as one of the best midfielders in the world.
He’s since represented his country on the biggest stage at a World Cup and recently played for Arsenal in the Champions League, scoring two sensational free-kicks against Real Madrid.
Rice moved to Arsenal for £105M in the 2023 summer transfer window.
His decision to leave was never personal, but Rice had dreams of playing in the biggest games and felt leaving West Ham would give him this opportunity.
Since then, Rice has played in a Champions League semi-final and been fighting at the top of the Premier League for the title.
He said: “Ultimately, though, it has only ever been about my ambition to play at the very highest level of the game.”
West Ham and Rice have faced off five times since his departure, with West Ham winning three.
When the Hammers took on Arsenal in February 2024 at the London Stadium, Rice found himself on the scoresheet,
He said: “I always said I would never celebrate against West Ham, and I don’t think I ever will. They made me who I am. I spent 10 years there; I owe them a lot.”
Season
Appearances
Goals
Assits
2017/18
31
0
0
2018/19
38
2
1
2019/20
40
1
3
2020/21
35
2
1
2021/22
50
5
4
2022/23
50
5
4
Rice’s West Ham statistics
West Ham and Rice will face off again on Saturday at the Emirates, as the Hammers look for their first win under new manager Nuno Espirito Santo.
West Ham also looked to strengthen at the back, bringing in Konstantinos Mavropanos, who has turned out to be a disappointing arrival at the club, failing to make much of a difference.
The Hammers made a profit from the Kudus sale, but really invested poorly after receiving such a big transfer fee for Rice.
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