41 Declan Rice

Born on January 14, 1999, in Kingston upon Thames, Greater London, Declan Rice was raised in a football-loving environment. His paternal grandparents hailed from Douglas, County Cork, Ireland, making him eligible to play for both Ireland and England.

Rice joined Chelsea’s academy at the age of seven but was released at 14. He then trialed at West Ham United and impressed the academy coaches with his determination. He played a key role in West Ham’s youth successes, winning the Premier League Cup in 2016 with the under-21s and the Premier League 2 Division 2 in 2020 with the under-23s.

Club Career

West Ham United (2015–2023)

Breakthrough and Establishment

In December 2015, Rice signed his first professional contract with West Ham United. He made his senior debut on May 21, 2017, against Burnley and quickly established himself as a key player.

During the 2018–19 season, Rice became the first West Ham teenager since Michael Carrick to make 50 appearances for the club. He signed a long-term contract extension and scored his first senior goal in a 1–0 win against Arsenal. His performances earned him multiple club awards, including the Young Hammer of the Year for three consecutive seasons.

Rise to Leadership and European Glory

By 2019, Rice was already a leader on the pitch, captaining West Ham for the first time in December. He played every minute of the 2019–20 season and was named Hammer of the Year. In 2021, he made his European debut and played a key role in West Ham’s deep Europa League run, earning a spot in the UEFA Europa League Team of the Year.

Following Mark Noble’s retirement in 2022, Rice was named club captain. Under his leadership, West Ham won the UEFA Europa Conference League in 2023, marking their first European title since 1965. He was named the competition’s Player of the Season and won his third Hammer of the Year award before departing.

Arsenal (2023–Present)

In July 2023, Rice signed for Arsenal in a club-record £100 million transfer, making him the joint-most-expensive English player in history. He made his debut in the Community Shield, helping Arsenal defeat Manchester City on penalties.

Rice scored his first Arsenal goal in dramatic fashion against Manchester United, securing a 3–1 victory. He continued to be an influential presence, earning a nomination for The Best FIFA Men’s Player award. In February 2024, he scored against former club West Ham in a 6–0 victory, marking West Ham’s heaviest home defeat since 1963.

International Career

Republic of Ireland (2017–2018)

Rice initially represented Ireland at youth and senior levels due to his Irish heritage. He was named Republic of Ireland U17 Player of the Year in 2017 and made his senior debut in 2018. However, in 2018, he began reconsidering his international allegiance after being approached by England.

England (2019–Present)

In February 2019, Rice officially switched his allegiance to England. He made his England debut in March and became a regular starter for the national team. He was included in the squad for UEFA Euro 2020, where England finished as runners-up to Italy.

Rice played a key role in England’s 2022 FIFA World Cup campaign, starting every match until their quarter-final exit. In 2024, he was named England captain for the first time and was part of the squad for UEFA Euro 2024.

Playing Style

Rice is widely regarded as one of the best defensive midfielders in the world. His key attributes include stamina, strength, tackling, and ball-carrying ability. While primarily a defensive midfielder, he has evolved into a more complete player, showcasing his passing range and ability to score from distance.

Rice has been a close friend of Mason Mount since their time at Chelsea’s academy. His cousin, Finley Munroe, plays for Aston Villa. In 2022, he welcomed his first child with long-time partner Lauren Fryer.

In 2019, Rice apologized for past social media comments related to the Irish Republican Army.