West Ham published a statement on Saturday confirming the departure of captain Declan Rice after the Englishman spent a decade with the Hammers. The midfielder is due for a record £105 million move across London to Arsenal, but West Ham's statement made no mention of the deal, after it was reported that the club were frustrated by delays in completing the deal.
West Ham have announced the departure of Declan Rice in a statement published on Saturday morning. The Hammers confirmed that an agreement had been reached for a "British record transfer fee". His £105 million move beats the fee paid by Manchster City in 2021 for Jack Grealish.
The statement fails to make however, any mention of Rice's destination, which is Premier League runners-up, Arsenal. The Gunners, as of Saturday morning, are also yet to confirm the midfielder's signing.
"The 24-year-old England midfielder leaves the Hammers having made a total of 245 senior appearances for the Club – the last of which finished in glory last month as he lifted the UEFA Europa Conference League trophy in Prague to end our 43-year wait for a major honour", read the statement.
Club Chair David Sullivan said, “I am sorry to see Declan leave us but I believe that everyone at West Ham United should be very proud of the part we have played in his journey".
He also added that the club had not wanted to part ways with their captain, offering him improved contracts to try and get him to stay: "I would like to make it clear to our supporters that we did not want to sell Declan. We wanted to build our team around him and made a series of improved, long-term contract offers to secure his future" but "Declan made it clear that he wished to move on and seek a new challenge".
“Declan will forever hold a special place in the hearts of Hammers fans and everyone here at the Club. We wish him well for the future and he will always be an inspiration and an example to any young player coming through our Academy”, he finished.