DECLAN RICE'S arrival at Arsenal has been CONFIRMED in a series of social media posts by the club.
The £105million deal has dragged on with the Hammers waiting impatiently for the paperwork from the Gunners' lawyers.
On Friday, Arsenal confirmed the signing of Jurrien Timber from Ajax.
The North London outfit agreed a £38.3m deal with the Dutch side and he has now become the second player to sign for the Gunners this summer.
FREE SPINS 2023 – BEST FREE SPIN BONUSES AT UK CASINOS
Stay up to date with all the latest from the Emirates Stadium…
- By Henry Tomlinson
Rice looking forward to reunion
Declan Rice is excited about playing alongside Eddie Nketiah again, having been a team-mate with him for five years between 9 and 14.
I played with Eddie from under-nines to under-14s. We were both released on the same day and it’s crazy where football takes you, your journey.
He’s made it through the ranks at Arsenal, I made it through the ranks at West Ham. Now we get to link back up again.
I’ve always loved Eddie, even though we had that little altercation on the pitch before! I’ve always loved him and been close to his family.
His dad is a top, top guy who used to come on all the tours with us as kids, so I’m really looking forward to seeing Eddie again and of course the other boys.
Declan Rice Arsenal
- By Henry Tomlinson
Fans not impressed
Arsenal fans were less than impressed after a video of their new away kit was leaked.
A new video appears to show the new kit hanging up in a shop, revealing a yellow and black colour scheme complete with blue text, badges and outlines.
Arsenal are yet to officially announce the strip, though a previous leak in April left fans reeling from the garish look.
And with fans taking on social media reacting to the kit, the sentiment seems to remain the same.
One fan wrote: "Rank." While a second declared: "Looks like a Lucozade bottle."
Credit: Twitter / @marky249 - By Henry Tomlinson
Rise of Rice
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.
Here is the story of his momentous rise.
READ MORE SUN STORIES
ON THE DEC Declan Rice’s amazing rise, from Chelsea reject to British transfer record fee
- By Henry Tomlinson
Cedric to stay?
Arsenal fans have been left convinced that forgotten star Cedric has earned a new deal at the club.
The right-back was seen sitting on the floor during a team meeting as Declan Rice's move to the Gunners was confirmed.
Arsenal uploaded a clip to their YouTube channel of manager Mikel Arteta beginning a team discussion to review their 1-1 draw with Nurnberg in a pre-season friendly.
The Spaniard began by welcoming new signings Rice and Jurrien Timber to "the family".
However, fans were left distracted by Cedric, who was spotted sitting at the front on the floor.
The Portuguese international has been on the books at Arsenal since 2020 and spent last season on loan at Fulham.
- By Henry Tomlinson
Arsenal's summer transfer business
Kai Havertz – Chelsea to Arsenal – £65m
Jurrien Timber – Ajax to Arsenal – £41.5m
Declan Rice – West Ham to Arsenal – £105m
Total spend – £211.5million
Credit: Getty - By Henry Tomlinson
Rice to keep shirt number
Declan Rice will continue to wear the No.41 shirt at Arsenal following his move from West Ham.
Credit: Getty - By Henry Tomlinson
Working with Arteta 'excites' Rice
Declan Rice has admitted he is excited to work with manager Mikel Arteta claiming that he was a "massive factor" behind his transfer.
I’m so excited – he speaks for himself. You see how he works – you got a real insight into how he works on the Amazon documentary, how he works with his players and not only as a coach, but psychologically how good he is with players, how he improves players.
He’s a massive factor in the reason why I’ve come here.
I know he’s going to get the best out of me.
I know I’ve got more levels to go up in my game, and I feel like he’s the manager to take me to those next levels. I’m really excited to be working with him.
Declan RiceArsenal
- By Henry Tomlinson
Adidas release Rice video
- By Henry Tomlinson
Why Rice picked Arsenal
Declan Rice has also revealed why he wanted to join Arsenal
I’ve been looking at Arsenal over the last couple of seasons and the trajectory they’ve been going on. 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.
With Mikel and how he works, the squad, how young everyone is, the energy around the club and also the challenge of getting Arsenal back to where they belong, that means a lot to me.
I know the fans really want that. For me as a player, I’ve come here really hungry to have more success and to spend my best years at this great club.
Declan RiceArsenal
- By Henry Tomlinson
Rice's first impressions of Arsenal
Declan Rice has praised the Gunners' training ground and behind-the-scenes staff.
It’s beautiful, it’s an amazing training ground. You see it in photos, and see people talk about it, you walk around and see the history on the wall with Arsenal.
It just makes you hungry to push, to demand more of yourself.
What I like about the place is you can feel already that you can’t be comfortable here, you have to push yourself to the max.
Speaking to the sports science guys and the physios and the demands they have as well, it’s all about winning and all about mentality, which is what I love.
Declan RiceArsenal
- By Henry Tomlinson
Rice on joining Arsenal
Declan Rice has thanked Arsenal fans for their support during the speculation over his move to the club.
First of all I just want to say a massive thank you to all the Arsenal fans for the support so far. It’s been overwhelming – there’s been a lot going on, a lot of speculation for months.
But obviously as a player, you want to get things dealt with as quickly as possible, so you’re settled.
Today I’ve had my first day and I’m feeling really at home. I just want to say it’s an absolute privilege to be a part of Arsenal Football Club.
The history and the players that have played here speak for themselves. And now I have joined, we’ve got some other signings as well, we are looking to get Arsenal back to the big time, back to winning stuff.
You’ve seen over the past few years how well this squad has been with the manager and there is a real feelgood factor around the place.
So I’m hungry, I’m ready and I’m going to give everything for this club like I do week in, week out. We’re going to be on some journey, so I’m looking forward to it.
Declan RiceArsenal
- By Henry Tomlinson
Signing the deal!
Here is the moment Declan Rice signed his contract to become Arsenal's record transfer.
Credit: Getty Credit: Getty - By Henry Tomlinson
First pics of Arsenal's Rice
Credit: Getty Credit: Getty READ MORE SUN STORIES
TOP DEC Declan Rice FINALLY completes £105m transfer to Arsenal as shirt number revealed
- By Henry Tomlinson
Edu hails "fantastic" Rice
Edu has also shared his feeling following the announcement of Declan Rice as an Arsenal player.
Declan is a player with fantastic ability and a proven record at both club and international levels.
The process of this transfer has been a big team effort with a clear plan, and we are so happy that Declan is joining us.
Declan is a high-quality, young international player who will add great strength to our squad, fitting so well into our strategy of competing with young talented players at the centre of our club.
It’s great that Declan will be joining up with Mikel, our coaches and his new teammates in good time ahead of the new season.
EduArsenal
- By Henry Tomlinson
Arteta on Rice signing
Mikel Arteta has hailed Declan Rice's arrival at Arsenal and is excited about the "responsibility" he will be able to add.
We’re really happy that Declan is joining us. 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.
Declan is bringing undoubted quality to the club and he is an exceptional talent who has the potential to be very successful here.
Declan has great experience in the Premier League at only 24 years old. 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.”
Mikel Arteta Arsenal
- By Henry Tomlinson
Arsenal announce Rice
Arsenal have now officially announced the signing of Declan Rice from West Ham on a long-term contract.
A club statement reads: "England international Declan Rice has joined us from West Ham United on a long-term contract.
"The 24-year-old midfielder already has vast experience, making 245 senior appearances for the Hammers as well as winning 43 caps for the Three Lions."
- By Henry Tomlinson
BREAKING – Arsenal welcome Declan Rice
Arsenal have welcomed Declan Rice to the team during a live video from their training ground.
Credit: Youtube – Arsenal Credit: Youtube – Arsenal - By Henry Tomlinson
Rice announcement at 1pm?
Arsenal have urged fans to visit their youtube channel at 1pm.
Could this be the announcement for Declan Rice?
- By Henry Tomlinson
Rice is at Arsenal
Declan Rice is reportedly at Arsenal ahead of completing his move to the club from West Ham.
According to Charlie Watts, the midfielder is at the club with an announcement expected soon.
Rice said his farewells to West Ham and the club's earlier today.
- By Henry Tomlinson
Edu on new signing
Sporting director Edu has priased the capture of Jurrien Timber from Ajax.
He revealed that the defender was a long-term target of the club.
Edu said: "We are very happy to bring Jurrien to Arsenal.
"He is a player that we have admired for a long time, so it’s a credit to everyone in our team that made this happen.
"Jurrien is a young talented international player, who fits our vision of competing with a young strong squad.
"I know Jurrien cannot wait to get started and we’re really hoping that he will be a great success here for many years."
- By Henry Tomlinson
Game changer
A former Arsenal star has swapped the Champions League for the business world.
Stefan O'Connor, 26, came through the ranks at Crystal Palace before being prised away by Arsenal's academy in 2010.
After retiring from injury in 2020, O'Connor initially re-trained as a lawyer and worked in the commercial sector.
He then launched his own business – called SOCCR – which coaches young players from grassroots all the way up to professional level.
He also works as an angel investor identifying promising start-ups with high growth potential.
READ MORE SUN STORIES
GAME CHANGER I played for Arsenal in the UCL – after retiring at 23 I have my own company
- By Henry Tomlinson
Timber and Arteta's first meeting
- By Henry Tomlinson
Rice reveals it was 'tough' to make Arsenal move
Declan Rice has revealed how his record-breaking move to Arsenal has caused a whirlwind of emotion and says the decision to leave West Ham was "tough" to make.
Rice has revealed how agonising it has been deciding to leave the club, ten years after joining the academy at 14.
In a farewell note to fans, he said: "I want you to know how tough a decision it has been for me to leave an environment that I have loved and cherished so much. Ultimately, though, it has only ever been about my ambition to play at the very highest level of the game.
"Playing on the opposite team to West Ham for the first time will be an unusual experience. I’m not sure yet exactly how I will feel, but I also know you will all understand and respect that my professional loyalties have to now lie with my new club.
"I will always give 100 per cent every single time I pull on the shirt – because that is how I have been brought up at West Ham, and I’m sure you wouldn’t expect anything else."
- By Henry Tomlinson
Romano gives Balogun update
Fabrizio Romano has provided an update on the future of Arsenal striker Folarin Balogun.
I’m told Balogun’s future at Arsenal will be decided once the market develops a little more. We need to see what happens with top strikers like Harry Kane, Victor Osimhen, Dusan Vlahovic, Romelu Lukaku and Rasmus Hojlund. Once these names start to move, Balogun’s future becomes clearer.
There are many clubs interested in signing Balogun, from Olympique de Marseille to some top Italian clubs; Leipzig also wanted the Arsenal player but they have completed a deal for Lois Openda so it’s over.
The fee for Balogun is going to be around £45/50m but at this stage, nothing is happening and it will take some time.
Fabrizio RomanoCaught Offside
- By Henry Tomlinson
What are the add-ons in Rice's deal
Arsenal are set to announce the arrival of Declan Rice for £105million.
However, part of the fee is made up of add-ons.
According to Sky Sports, the Gunners will pay the final £5m if certain clauses are met.
The report claims that West Ham will receive £1m every time Arsenal qualifies for the Champions League and Rice plays in 60 per cent of their matches.
Credit: Getty
Source: Read Full Article
