Declan Rice

Declan Rice made his senior team debut for West Ham United at the end of the 2016-17 Premier League season, having signed his first professional contract with the club on December 16, 2015. His career significantly advanced when he transitioned into a midfield role under Manuel Pellegrini during the 2018-19 season, establishing himself as a top Premier League talent. Rice earned his first England call-up in March 2019, after having represented the Republic of Ireland at youth and senior levels. That same year, he scored his first West Ham goal, earning man-of-the-match honors against Arsenal, and first captained the club.

In July 2023, Rice completed a monumental transfer to Arsenal for a club-record fee of £100 million, making him one of the most expensive English players in history. He swiftly integrated into the Arsenal squad, making his debut and winning the FA Community Shield in 2023, scoring his first goal for the club in September 2023. He was also nominated for The Best FIFA Men’s Player in 2023. Internationally, Rice has been a consistent and pivotal presence for the England national team since his debut in 2019.

Continuing his impactful contributions at Arsenal, Rice scored his first UEFA Champions League goal in 2025 and became the first player to score two free kicks in a Champions League knockout phase match. His exceptional performance in the 2024-25 season earned him the Arsenal Player of the Season award and a selection into the UEFA Champions League Team of the Season. Furthermore, his consistent excellence was recognized with nominations for both the Premier League Player of the Season and the PFA Players’ Player of the Year in 2025.