Arsenal have confirmed the signing of Declan Rice from West Ham on a long-term contract for a fee expected to be £105million.
The Hammers had been involved in protracted discussions with the Gunners over the structure of a deal for the 24-year-old midfielder, who won two caps for the Republic of Ireland in 2018 before switching allegiance.
Rice's move to the Emirates Stadium sees him become the most expensive English player in history and follows on from the former Irons captain having guided his old club to victory in the Europa Conference League final against Fiorentina.
"I’ve been looking at Arsenal over the last couple of seasons and the trajectory they’ve been going on," Rice told the Arsenal website.
"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."
"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 from the Academy of Football at Chadwell Heath to becoming the most valuable young player in English football," West Ham joint-chair David Sullivan said in a statement.
"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.
"However, once Declan made it clear that he wished to move on and seek a new challenge, the club felt it would not be right to stand in his way, acting in the best interests of West Ham United."
Rice made 245 appearances for West Ham, his last helping secure a first trophy since 1980, and manager David Moyes was understandably sad to see him leave.
"I'd like to personally thank Declan for everything he has done during his time at West Ham United," he said.
"Obviously it is sad when we say goodbye to someone who has been with us for so long but we must now look forward.
"As history shows, no player is ever bigger than the club.
"Our entire focus now is on building upon the success we enjoyed last season, adding to our talented Europa Conference League title-winning squad as we enter our third consecutive season in Europe, and continuing to develop the best young talent through our successful academy."
