.jpg/1626px-1_declan_rice_arsenal_2025_(cropped).jpg)
Community Hub0 Subscribers
Community hub
Declan Rice
View on Wikipediafrom Wikipedia
Declan Rice (born 14 January 1999) is an English professional footballer who plays as a defensive midfielder for Premier League club Arsenal and the England national team. Known for his versatility, stamina, ball-carrying and tackling,[3][4] he is considered one of the best midfielders in the world.[5][3][6][7]
Key Information
Rice began his professional career at West Ham United, having been released by Chelsea's academy, and established himself as a key first-team player by 2017. In 2022, he succeeded Mark Noble as club captain, and led the club to a UEFA Europa Conference League title the following year, as well as being named the competition's Player of the Season. After making 245 appearances for West Ham, Rice was signed by Arsenal in July 2023 for a club record fee of £100 million, making him the joint-most-expensive English player in history.
Eligible to play for England or the Republic of Ireland, Rice represented the Republic of Ireland internationally at both youth and senior levels prior to 2019. He subsequently changed his national allegiance and made himself available for selection by England. Rice made his England debut in 2019 and has represented the country at UEFA Euro 2020, the 2022 FIFA World Cup, and Euro 2024, finishing runner-up in both European Championship editions he participated in.
Early life and career
[edit]Declan Rice[8] was born on 14 January 1999[9] in Kingston upon Thames, Greater London, where he was raised.[10] His paternal grandparents were from Douglas, County Cork, in Ireland.[11] He joined the academy of Chelsea in 2006, as a seven-year-old.[12][13]
In 2013, after his release at age 14, he joined the academy of West Ham United after a trial period in the spring.[14][15] West Ham United Academy coach Trevor Bumstead stated it was Rice's determination and persistence that helped him break through the ranks at West Ham.[16] Rice won the Premier League Cup in 2016 with the under-21s and the Premier League 2 Division 2 in 2020 with the under-23s.[17]
Club career
[edit]West Ham United
[edit]2015–2020
[edit].jpg)
On 16 December 2015, two years after joining West Ham United at youth level, Rice signed his first professional contract with the club.[18] Rice received his first call-up to the West Ham senior squad for the games against Sunderland and Everton in April 2017, after impressing in the under-23 team.[19] He made his senior debut against Burnley on the last day of the 2016–17 Premier League season, coming on as a 91st-minute substitute for Edimilson Fernandes in a 2–1 away win,[20][21] five days after captaining the under-23s to promotion with a 2–1 win away to Newcastle United.[22] His first-team debut came on 19 August 2017 in a 3–2 defeat at Southampton.[23] In April 2018, Rice was named as runner-up for the 2017–18 Hammer of the Year award behind Marko Arnautović.[24]
On 22 December 2018, he made his 50th appearance for West Ham,[25][26] becoming the first player to do so while still a teenager since Michael Carrick.[27][28] On 28 December 2018, Rice signed a new contract until 2024 with the option of an additional year.[29] On 12 January 2019, Rice scored his first goal for West Ham and was named man of the match in a 1–0 win against Arsenal, in West Ham's 50th Premier League game at the London Stadium.[30] On 20 April, Rice was named on the shortlist for the PFA Young Player of the Year award, which was eventually awarded to Rice's England teammate Raheem Sterling.[31] At the end of the 2018–19 season, he was named the Players' Player of the Year and won the award for Individual Performance of the Season, for his match winning game against Arsenal, and was named the Young Hammer of the Year for the third-consecutive season.[32]
On 28 December 2019, Rice captained West Ham for the first time, at age 20,[33] in a 2–1 home loss against Leicester City.[33] He scored his first and only Premier League goal of the season on 17 July 2020, with an outside-the-box strike against Watford, in a 3–1 win.[34] In the 2019–20 season, Rice played every minute of West Ham's 38 league games. He was in the Premier League's top five players for both tackles and interceptions, leading West Ham players in both categories and making more passes than any other teammate. He was named Hammer of the Year for the first time in 2020.[35]
2020–2023
[edit]
On 15 February 2021, Rice scored his first goal of the season[36] when he converted a penalty and put the team in the lead against Sheffield United in a home league win that ended 3–0.[37] In April 2021, having played in all of West Ham's games so far in the 2020–21 season, Rice was ruled out for four weeks with a knee injury picked up on international duty with England.[38]
On 16 September 2021, Rice made his European debut and scored his debut European goal in a 2–0 away victory over Dinamo Zagreb in the Europa League.[39]
On 9 May 2022, Rice was named as Hammer of the Year for a second time.[40][41][42] Following West Ham's Europa League campaign, which saw them reach the semi-final, Rice was named in the 2021–22 UEFA Europa League Team of the Year alongside teammate Craig Dawson.[43] Following the retirement of Mark Noble in May 2022, Rice was named as captain of West Ham.[44]
On 16 October 2022, Rice opened his goalscoring account for the season,[45] scoring a curling effort from 22 yards (20 m) to secure West Ham a point in a 1–1 draw against Southampton.[46] On 20 April 2023, Rice scored West Ham's third in a 4–1 win in the UEFA Europa Conference League against Belgian side Gent, carrying the ball for more than 50 metres (55 yd) before finishing past Gent goalkeeper Davy Roef, resulting in a goal labelled "perhaps the standout strike of Rice's career" by The Daily Telegraph.[47]
In May 2023, he was again named Hammer of the Year, for the 2022–23 season.[48] On 8 June 2023, Rice was named as the Europa Conference League's player of the season by UEFA as Rice captained West Ham to their first major European trophy since 1965 after a 2–1 win against Fiorentina in the final a day prior.[49] During the 2022–23 season, Rice won possession more than any other Premier League player. He also made the most interceptions of all Premier League players.[50]
Rice left West Ham in July 2023, joining Arsenal. He played 245 games for West Ham, scoring 15 goals. He is one of only three West Ham captains, along with Bobby Moore and Billy Bonds, to have captained the club to a major trophy.[51][52] West Ham chairman David Sullivan said that the club did not want to sell the player, stating that they wished to build the team around him, but that Rice had made it clear he wanted to move on.[53] Rice said of the transfer: "Ultimately, though, it has only ever been about my ambition to play at the very highest level of the game."[54]
Arsenal
[edit]2023–24
[edit]_23.jpg)
On 15 July 2023, Rice signed for Premier League club Arsenal on a long-term contract.[55][56] It was reported that the transfer fee was a club-record initial £100m, potentially rising by £5m, in add-ons, making him the most expensive English player, equalling the previous record held by Jack Grealish.[57] The structure of the transfer was given as West Ham receiving £50m immediately and a further £50m in the summer of 2024. They will also receive £1m every time Arsenal qualify for a place in the Champions League during his time at the club and £1m if he plays 60 per cent of games in a season, with those payments capped at £5m.[58]
Rice made his Arsenal debut on 6 August against Manchester City in the 2023 FA Community Shield, which Arsenal won 4–1 on penalties after a 1–1 draw.[59] On 12 August, Rice started in Arsenal's opening match of the 2023–24 Premier League season, a 2–1 home win over Nottingham Forest.[60][61] On 3 September, he scored his first goal for Arsenal, in stoppage time to grant his team a 2–1 lead against Manchester United in a match which ended in a 3–1 win.[62]
Rice was announced as a nominee for The Best FIFA Men's Player based on his performances for both London clubs and the national team.[63] On 11 February, Rice scored his first goal against his former club, West Ham United, in a 6–0 victory at London Stadium, which was West Ham's worst home defeat in the league since 1963 against Blackburn Rovers.[64]
2024–25
[edit]On 21 December 2024, Rice came off the bench against Crystal Palace, scoring and providing an assist to teammate Gabriel Martinelli in the 5–1 away rout of the Eagles.[65] On 22 January 2025, Rice scored his first UEFA Champions League goal in 3–0 victory over Dinamo Zagreb.[66] On 8 April, he netted two direct free kick goals in a 3–0 home win over reigning champions Real Madrid in the first leg of the Champions League quarter-finals,[67] becoming the first player ever to score two free kicks in a Champions League knockout phase match.[68] On 18 May, he scored the only goal in a 1–0 win over Newcastle United, securing Arsenal's runner-up finish in the Premier League and qualification for the UEFA Champions League in the following season.[69] Following another successful individual campaign with Arsenal, Rice was voted as the Arsenal Player of the Season.[70] He was also selected in the UEFA Champions League Team of the Season by UEFA's Technical Observer Group, and nominated for the Premier League Player of the Season award.[71][72]
On 20 June 2025, it was announced that Rice was one of six nominees for the PFA Players' Player of the Year.[73]
2025–26
[edit]On 5 October 2025, Declan Rice scored his first goal of the season against former club West Ham United in a 2–0 Premier League home win.[74]
International career
[edit]Republic of Ireland
[edit]Although born in London, Rice was eligible to play for Ireland as his paternal grandparents are from Cork.[75] On 19 March 2017, Rice was named Republic of Ireland U17 player of the year.[76] On 23 May 2017, only days after his Premier League debut, Rice was named in the Republic of Ireland squad to play friendlies against Mexico and Uruguay and a World Cup qualifier at home to Austria.[77] He made his senior debut on 23 March 2018 in a 1–0 defeat to Turkey.[78]
In August 2018, Rice was omitted from the squad to play Wales by manager Martin O'Neill, who said that Rice was considering switching to play for England after being approached by them.[79] By November 2018, having been omitted from three squads selected by O'Neill, Rice said he was no closer in deciding whether to play for Ireland or England.[80] In December 2018, Rice met with new Ireland manager Mick McCarthy and his assistant, Robbie Keane. McCarthy said that Rice was a potential future captain of Ireland and that he would build the team around Rice should he decide to play for the country.[81]
England
[edit].jpg)
On 13 February 2019, Rice pledged his future to England.[82][83] On 5 March, his change of allegiance was confirmed by FIFA.[84] On 13 March, he was called up by England for their forthcoming UEFA Euro 2020 qualifying matches against the Czech Republic and Montenegro.[85] He made his debut on 22 March as a 63rd-minute substitute against the Czech Republic at Wembley Stadium.[86]
On 25 March 2019, England manager Gareth Southgate handed Rice his first start for the national side during a 5–1 victory over Montenegro.[87] Following Rice's successful season, he was handed a place in the England squad for the 2019 UEFA Nations League Finals.[88] In September 2019, Rice said that he had received online death threats after switching allegiance.[89][90] He was the first player to play for both countries since Jack Reynolds in the 1890s.[91] Rice was named in the England squad for UEFA Euro 2020.[92] Rice played in all seven games for England at Euro 2020 where they finished runner-up in the final to Italy.[93][94]
Rice was included in the England squad for the 2022 FIFA World Cup.[95] He started all five matches as England reached the quarter-finals, losing 2–1 to France.[96]
Ahead of his 50th cap for the senior side, it was announced that Rice would captain England for the first time, against Belgium in March 2024.[97] On 6 June, he was named in England's 26-man squad for UEFA Euro 2024.[98] He started in central midfield in the team's opening match against Serbia, playing the full 90 minutes as England won 1–0 to go top of Group C.[99]
Style of play
[edit]Rice plays predominantly as a defensive midfielder and is known for his athleticism and tackling ability. In more recent times, he has begun to build a reputation as a more complete midfielder due to his ball carrying skills and ability to score goals from range, which has seen him be deployed in a more offensive role on occasion as a number eight.[4][100][101][102][103][104][105] He has also been praised in the media for his passing ability.[106]
Personal life
[edit]Rice has been a close friend of Mason Mount since childhood from when they played together at Chelsea's academy.[107] His cousin, Finley Munroe, is also a professional footballer for Aston Villa.[108]
In March 2019, Rice apologised for pro-Irish Republican Army comments he made on social media in 2015.[109][110]
In August 2022, Rice confirmed the birth of his first child, a son, with long-term girlfriend, Lauren Fryer.[111]
Career statistics
[edit]Club
[edit]- As of match played 21 October 2025
| Club | Season | League | FA Cup | EFL Cup | Europe | Other | Total | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| West Ham United U23 | 2016–17[112] | — | — | — | — | 2[a] | 0 | 2 | 0 | |||||
| 2017–18[113] | — | — | — | — | 1[a] | 0 | 1 | 0 | ||||||
| Total | — | — | — | — | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | ||||||
| West Ham United | 2016–17[112] | Premier League | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 1 | 0 | |
| 2017–18[113] | Premier League | 26 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 0 | — | — | 31 | 0 | |||
| 2018–19[114] | Premier League | 34 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 | — | — | 38 | 2 | |||
| 2019–20[115] | Premier League | 38 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 40 | 1 | |||
| 2020–21[116] | Premier League | 32 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | — | 35 | 2 | |||
| 2021–22[117] | Premier League | 36 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 10[b] | 3 | — | 50 | 5 | ||
| 2022–23[118] | Premier League | 37 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 11[c] | 1 | — | 50 | 5 | ||
| Total | 204 | 10 | 11 | 1 | 9 | 0 | 21 | 4 | — | 245 | 15 | |||
| Arsenal | 2023–24[119] | Premier League | 38 | 7 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 10[d] | 0 | 1[e] | 0 | 51 | 7 |
| 2024–25[120] | Premier League | 35 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 13[d] | 4 | — | 52 | 9 | ||
| 2025–26[121] | Premier League | 8 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3[d] | 0 | — | 12 | 1 | ||
| Total | 81 | 12 | 2 | 0 | 5 | 1 | 26 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 115 | 17 | ||
| Career total | 285 | 22 | 13 | 1 | 14 | 1 | 47 | 8 | 4 | 0 | 363 | 32 | ||
- ^ a b Appearance(s) in EFL Trophy
- ^ Appearances in UEFA Europa League
- ^ Appearances in UEFA Europa Conference League
- ^ a b c Appearances in UEFA Champions League
- ^ Appearance in FA Community Shield
International
[edit]- As of match played 14 October 2025[122]
| National team | Year | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| Republic of Ireland | 2018 | 3 | 0 |
| Total | 3 | 0 | |
| England | 2019 | 7 | 0 |
| 2020 | 6 | 1 | |
| 2021 | 14 | 1 | |
| 2022 | 12 | 0 | |
| 2023 | 9 | 1 | |
| 2024 | 14 | 2 | |
| 2025 | 8 | 1 | |
| Total | 70 | 6 | |
| Career total | 73 | 6 | |
- As of matches played 14 October 2025
- England score listed first, score column indicates score after each Rice goal[122]
| No. | Date | Venue | Cap | Opponent | Score | Result | Competition | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 18 November 2020 | Wembley Stadium, London, England | 13 |  Iceland |
1–0 | 4–0 | 2020–21 UEFA Nations League A | [123] |
| 2 | 2 September 2021 | Puskás Aréna, Budapest, Hungary | 25 |  Hungary |
4–0 | 4–0 | 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification | [124] |
| 3 | 23 March 2023 | Stadio Diego Armando Maradona, Naples, Italy | 40 |  Italy |
1–0 | 2–1 | UEFA Euro 2024 qualifying | [125] |
| 4 | 7 September 2024 | Aviva Stadium, Dublin, Ireland | 59 |  Republic of Ireland |
1–0 | 2–0 | 2024–25 UEFA Nations League B | [126] |
| 5 | 13 October 2024 | Helsinki Olympic Stadium, Helsinki, Finland | 62 |  Finland |
3–0 | 3–1 | 2024–25 UEFA Nations League B | [127] |
| 6 | 6 September 2025 | Villa Park, Birmingham, England | 70 |  Andorra |
2–0 | 2–0 | 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification | [128] |
Honours
[edit]West Ham United
Arsenal
England
- UEFA European Championship runner-up: 2020,[131] 2024[132]
- UEFA Nations League third place: 2018–19[133]
Individual
- West Ham United Young Player of the Year: 2016–17,[134] 2017–18,[135] 2018–19[136]
- Republic of Ireland U17 Player of the Year: 2016[76]
- FAI Young International Player of the Year: 2018[137][138]
- West Ham United Player of the Year: 2019–20, 2021–22, 2022–23[35][48]
- London Football Premier League Young Player of the Year: 2019[139]
- UEFA Europa League Team of the Season: 2021–22[140]
- London Football Premier League Player of the Year: 2022,[139] 2024[141]
- UEFA Conference League Team of the Season: 2022–23[142]
- UEFA Conference League Player of the Season: 2022–23[49]
- PFA Team of the Year: 2023–24 Premier League,[143] 2024–25 Premier League[144]
- EA Sports FC Premier League Team of the Season: 2024–25[145]
- Premier League Fan Team of the Season: 2024–25[146]
- UEFA Champions League Team of the Season: 2024–25[147]
- The Athletic European Men's Team of the Season: 2024–25[148]
- The Athletic Premier League Team of the Season: 2023–24[149] ,2024–25[150]
- Arsenal Player of the Season: 2024–25[151]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ "Declan Rice: Overview". Premier League. Retrieved 9 September 2024.
- ^ "Declan Rice: Profile". worldfootball.net. HEIM:SPIEL. Archived from the original on 12 April 2020. Retrieved 12 April 2020.
- ^ a b "The 25 best defensive midfielders in world football - ranked". 90min. 16 March 2020. Retrieved 1 April 2025.
- ^ a b Bate, Adam (16 January 2022). "Declan Rice has become the complete midfielder at West Ham thanks to scanning, ball carrying and tackling". Sky Sports.
- ^ Roberts, Olly (23 June 2023). "Ranking the best defensive midfielders in the world from 'Ballon d'Or worthy' to 'past it now'". GiveMeSport. Retrieved 30 July 2024.
- ^ "2024 FC 100: Odegaard among best midfielders in men's soccer". ESPN. 4 June 2024. Retrieved 1 April 2024.
- ^ "Declan Rice: Arsenal star cements place as one of world's best midfielders in win over Real Madrid". BBC Sport. 16 April 2025. Retrieved 20 April 2025.
- ^ "Updated squads for 2017/18 Premier League confirmed". Premier League. 2 February 2018. Archived from the original on 2 February 2020. Retrieved 18 February 2018.
- ^ "D. Rice: Summary". Soccerway. Perform Group. Archived from the original on 9 July 2019. Retrieved 12 April 2020.
- ^ O'Hehir, Paul (20 March 2018). "Declan Rice looks to good friend John Terry for guidance as he readies for Ireland debut". Irish Mirror. Archived from the original on 6 February 2019. Retrieved 6 February 2019.
- ^ McDonnell, Daniel (20 March 2018). "Declan Rice: 'There's no decision to be made. If I didn't want to be playing for Ireland, I wouldn't be here'". Irish Independent. Dublin. Archived from the original on 7 September 2018. Retrieved 7 September 2018.
- ^ Nash, Matthew (9 November 2018). "West Ham's Declan Rice on his rapid rise and future plans with club and country". Metro. London. Archived from the original on 11 November 2018. Retrieved 10 November 2018.
- ^ Northcroft, Jonathan (2 September 2018). "Ireland anger over England's move for Declan Rice". The Times. London. Archived from the original on 7 September 2018. Retrieved 7 September 2018.
- ^ "A personal message to West Ham United supporters from Declan Rice… | West Ham United F.C." www.whufc.com. Retrieved 1 April 2025.
- ^ "West Ham United Club Statement | West Ham United F.C." www.whufc.com. Retrieved 1 April 2025.
- ^ Baldi, Ryan (5 June 2021). "Declan Rice: How England midfielder overcame rejection to become key Euro 2020 figure". BBC Sport. Retrieved 1 April 2025.
- ^ "Rice: Football is all about trophies | West Ham United F.C." www.whufc.com. Retrieved 1 April 2025.
- ^ "Declan Rice: A career timeline". West Ham United F.C. 28 December 2018. Archived from the original on 29 December 2018. Retrieved 28 December 2018.
- ^ Inkersole, Sam (9 May 2017). "EXCLUSIVE: Declan Rice says he will stay level headed despite West Ham call-up". football.london. Archived from the original on 8 April 2019. Retrieved 22 May 2017.
- ^ Emons, Michael (19 May 2017). "Burnley 1-2 West Ham United". BBC Sport. Retrieved 1 April 2025.
- ^ "Rice – It's a dream come true". West Ham United F.C. Archived from the original on 1 April 2018. Retrieved 22 May 2017.
- ^ "Newcastle United v West Ham United". West Ham United F.C. 16 May 2017. Archived from the original on 18 August 2017. Retrieved 18 August 2017.
- ^ Inkersole, Sam (19 August 2017). "Revealed:Rice starts for West Ham against Southampton and Antonio returns". football.london. Archived from the original on 6 September 2018. Retrieved 24 August 2017.
- ^ "Arnautovic crowned Betway Hammer of the Year". West Ham United F.C. Archived from the original on 26 April 2018. Retrieved 26 April 2018.
- ^ "Declan Rice: My 2018/19 West Ham United season | West Ham United F.C." www.whufc.com. Retrieved 1 April 2025.
- ^ Williams, Jay (23 December 2018). "'What an achievement' - West Ham fans congratulate Rice on 50 appearances". Hammers News. Retrieved 1 April 2025.
- ^ Inkersole, Sam (15 November 2018). "Mason's ironic cheers & Rice going mad – West Ham moments missed". football.london. Archived from the original on 30 December 2018. Retrieved 30 December 2018.
- ^ "Analysis: Resilient Rice has shown age is no barrier". West Ham United F.C. 29 December 2018. Archived from the original on 30 December 2018. Retrieved 30 December 2018.
- ^ "West Ham United sign Declan Rice to new long-term contract". West Ham United F.C. Archived from the original on 29 December 2018. Retrieved 29 December 2018.
- ^ Johnston, Neil (12 January 2019). "West Ham United 1–0 Arsenal". BBC Sport. Archived from the original on 17 January 2019. Retrieved 18 January 2019.
- ^ Morgan, Tom; Whyatt, Katie (28 April 2019). "Liverpool's Virgil van Dijk rewarded for near-perfect season with PFA Player of the Year award". The Telegraph. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 1 April 2025.
- ^ "Delighted Declan Rice wins three Player Awards". West Ham United F.C. 9 May 2019. Archived from the original on 29 September 2020. Retrieved 12 September 2020.
- ^ a b "Team news: Fabianski returns, Reid on bench, Rice named captain". West Ham United F.C. 28 December 2019. Archived from the original on 2 September 2021. Retrieved 3 September 2021.
- ^ "West Ham 3–1 Watford: Hammers close in on Premier League safety". Sky Sports. 18 July 2020. Archived from the original on 24 July 2020. Retrieved 27 July 2020.
- ^ a b "Declan Rice crowned 2019/20 Betway Hammer of the Year". West Ham United F.C. 26 July 2020. Archived from the original on 26 July 2020. Retrieved 27 July 2020.
- ^ "On This Day: Declan Rice's memorable first West Ham United goal | West Ham United F.C." www.whufc.com. Retrieved 1 April 2025.
- ^ MacInnes, Paul (15 February 2021). "Rice and Diop lead in-form West Ham to win over Sheffield United". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 1 April 2025.
- ^ Stone, Simon (6 April 2021). "Declan Rice: West Ham midfielder to miss four weeks with knee injury". BBC Sport. Archived from the original on 6 April 2021. Retrieved 6 April 2021.
- ^ "Declan Rice: It's an incredible feeling to win in Europe". West Ham United F.C. 16 September 2021. Archived from the original on 16 September 2021. Retrieved 16 September 2021.
- ^ "As It Happened: 2021/22 Player Awards brought to you by Betway in aid of the Academy". West Ham United F.C. 9 May 2022. Archived from the original on 31 October 2022. Retrieved 9 May 2022.
- ^ Bellingham, Morgan. "Yeu88". Retrieved 1 April 2025.
- ^ "Declan Rice crowned 2021/22 Betway Hammer of the Year | West Ham United F.C." www.whufc.com. Retrieved 1 April 2025.
- ^ Gorrie, Jonathan (20 May 2022). "West Ham duo Rice & Dawson named in Europa League team of the Season". Evening Standard. London. Archived from the original on 31 October 2022. Retrieved 20 May 2022.
- ^ Colman, Jonty (29 July 2022). "Declan Rice relishing in role as West Ham's captain as he sets England target". Football.London. Archived from the original on 22 September 2022. Retrieved 30 July 2022.
- ^ "2021/22 Betway Player Awards round-up | West Ham United F.C." www.whufc.com. Retrieved 1 April 2025.
- ^ "Goals: Southampton 1–1 West Ham United". West Ham United F.C. 16 October 2022. Archived from the original on 23 April 2023. Retrieved 23 April 2023.
- ^ Dean, Sam; Thomas, Harri (20 April 2023). "West Ham vs Gent result: Declan Rice wonder goal headlines superb fightback". The Telegraph. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 1 April 2025.
- ^ a b "Declan Rice crowned Betway Hammer of the Year for 2022/23". West Ham United F.C. 21 May 2023. Archived from the original on 22 May 2023. Retrieved 22 May 2023.
- ^ a b "Declan Rice named UEFA Europa Conference League Player of the Season". UEFA. 8 June 2023. Archived from the original on 8 June 2023. Retrieved 8 June 2023.
- ^ Segar, David (29 June 2023). "Why West Ham's Declan Rice is a Wanted Man". Opta Analyst. Retrieved 1 April 2025.
- ^ "DECLAN RICE EXPLAINS 'TOUGH DECISION' TO LEAVE IN EMOTIONAL GOODBYE TO WEST HAM FANS AS EXIT CONFIRMED". eurosport.co.uk. Retrieved 16 July 2023.
- ^ Power, Lee (15 July 2023). "Rice gives thanks as Hammers departure confirmed". Newham Recorder. Retrieved 1 April 2025.
- ^ Sternik, Seb (15 July 2023). "We did not want to sell West Hams David Sullivan makes Declan Rice admission amid Arsenal move". PlanetSport. Retrieved 16 July 2023.
- ^ "Declan Rice confirms 'tough' West Ham departure with Arsenal move imminent". The Independent. Archived from the original on 27 December 2024. Retrieved 1 April 2025.
- ^ "Declan Rice completes transfer to Arsenal". Arsenal F.C. 15 July 2023. Retrieved 15 July 2023.
- ^ "Declan Rice says 'tough' to leave West Ham with Arsenal transfer confirmed". BBC Sport. 15 July 2023. Retrieved 1 April 2025.
- ^ "Declan Rice: Arsenal sign England midfielder from West Ham for £105m". BBC Sport. 15 July 2023. Retrieved 15 July 2023.
- ^ "Breakdown of payment schedule for Declan Rice's Arsenal move revealed". Irish Independent. 15 July 2023. Retrieved 1 April 2025.
- ^ "Arsenal 1-1 Man City (4-1 on pens)". Sky Sports. 6 August 2023.
- ^ Walker, Andrew (12 August 2023). "Declan Rice's first-half by numbers: Midfielder superb vs. Forest". CaughtOffside. Retrieved 12 August 2023.
- ^ Glendenning, Barry (12 August 2023). "Arsenal 2-1 Nottingham Forest: Premier League – as it happened". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 12 August 2023.
- ^ "Declan Rice late strike earns Arsenal dramatic Manchester United victory". The Guardian. London. 3 September 2023. Retrieved 3 September 2023.
- ^ "Rice nominated for Best FIFA Men's Player". Arsenal FC. 3 September 2023. Retrieved 3 December 2023.
- ^ Mallows, Tom (11 February 2024). "West Ham United 0-6 Arsenal: Gunners romp to emphatic win to close gap on leaders". BBC Sport. Retrieved 11 February 2024.
- ^ James, Josh (21 December 2024). "Report: Crystal Palace 1-5 Arsenal". Arsenal.com. Retrieved 8 June 2025.
- ^ "Arsenal 3-0 Dinamo Zagreb: Player Ratings as Declan Rice Scores First Champions League Goal". OneFootball. 22 January 2025.
- ^ Howell, Alex (8 April 2025). "Arsenal 3–0 Real Madrid". BBC Sport. Retrieved 8 April 2025.
- ^ "(VIDEO) Declan Rice's Double Free Kick Wonder Goals with Arsenal to Knock Out Real Madrid in the Champions League". beIN SPORTS. 8 April 2025. Retrieved 8 April 2025.
- ^ McNicholas, James; Waugh, Chris (18 May 2025). "Arsenal 1 Newcastle 0 – Rice wraps up Champions League spot but Howe's side face final-day shootout". The Athletic. Retrieved 6 June 2025.
- ^ Rogers, Jonathon (6 June 2025). "Rice wins men's Player of the Season for 2024/25". Arsenal. Retrieved 8 June 2025.
- ^ "2024/25 Champions League Team of the Season". UEFA. 1 June 2025. Retrieved 8 June 2025.
- ^ "EA SPORTS 2024/25 Player of the Season shortlist". Premier League. 16 May 2025. Retrieved 8 June 2025.
- ^ "PFA Players' Player of the Year: Bruno Fernandes and Mohamed Salah among nominees". BBC Sport. 20 June 2025. Retrieved 20 June 2025.
- ^ "Arsenal 2-0 West Ham: Game Analysis". ESPN. 4 October 2025. Retrieved 5 October 2025.
- ^ Fallon, John (5 October 2017). "Rice grateful to talent scout O'Toole for helping his swift rise". Irish Independent. Dublin. Archived from the original on 5 October 2017. Retrieved 5 October 2017.
- ^ a b "Winners revealed for Three FAI International Football Awards". Football Association of Ireland. 19 March 2017. Archived from the original on 2 December 2017. Retrieved 24 May 2017.
- ^ Fitzmaurice, Aidan (23 May 2017). "West Ham teenager Declan Rice called into Ireland senior squad by Martin O'Neill along with Cork duo". Irish Independent. Dublin. Archived from the original on 24 August 2017. Retrieved 24 August 2017.
- ^ "New faces fail to inspire Ireland in Turkey". The42.ie. 23 March 2018. Archived from the original on 23 March 2018. Retrieved 23 March 2018.
- ^ "England 'have spoken to' West Ham's Declan Rice, says Martin O'Neill". The Guardian. London. Press Association. 27 August 2018. Archived from the original on 13 December 2018. Retrieved 27 January 2019.
- ^ "Declan Rice: Choosing between England and Republic of Ireland not easy". BBC Sport. 9 November 2018. Archived from the original on 10 November 2018. Retrieved 10 November 2018.
- ^ "Declan Rice: Republic of Ireland boss Mick McCarthy says West Ham player could be his captain". BBC Sport. 23 December 2018. Archived from the original on 25 December 2018. Retrieved 28 December 2018.
- ^ "Declan Rice pledges future to England". The Independent. 13 February 2019. Archived from the original on 14 February 2019. Retrieved 13 February 2019.
- ^ "Declan Rice: Is West Ham midfielder ready for England?". BBC Sport. 18 February 2019. Archived from the original on 19 February 2019. Retrieved 19 February 2019.
- ^ "Declan Rice: Fifa confirms West Ham midfielder's switch to England from Republic of Ireland". BBC Sport. 5 March 2019. Archived from the original on 6 March 2019. Retrieved 5 March 2019.
- ^ "Declan Rice: England call-up for West Ham midfielder for Euro 2020 qualifiers". BBC Sport. 13 March 2019. Archived from the original on 13 March 2019. Retrieved 13 March 2019.
- ^ McNulty, Phil (22 March 2019). "England 5–0 Czech Republic". BBC Sport. Archived from the original on 21 March 2019. Retrieved 23 March 2019.
- ^ McNulty, Phil (25 March 2019). "Montenegro 1–5 England". BBC Sport. Archived from the original on 26 March 2019. Retrieved 26 March 2019.
- ^ McNulty, Phil (27 May 2019). "Nations League: England drop Kieran Trippier but Harry Kane included". BBC Sport. Archived from the original on 27 May 2019. Retrieved 27 May 2019.
- ^ "Declan Rice: I've endured death threats for quitting Ireland". Irish Examiner. 9 September 2019. Archived from the original on 26 September 2019. Retrieved 10 September 2019.
- ^ "Declan Rice: West Ham midfielder reveals he received threats after England switch". BBC Sport. 9 September 2019. Archived from the original on 10 September 2019. Retrieved 10 September 2019.
- ^ Walker, Michael (9 March 2019). "Michael Walker: before Declan Rice, only one man had played for Ireland and England". The Irish Times. Archived from the original on 10 November 2021. Retrieved 12 September 2020.
- ^ "Declan Rice named in final England Euro 2020 squad". West Ham United F.C. Archived from the original on 3 June 2021. Retrieved 1 June 2021.
- ^ "UEFA Euro 2020: West Ham United's Declan Rice through to the final | West Ham United". West Ham United F.C. Archived from the original on 29 October 2021. Retrieved 13 October 2021.
- ^ "West Ham United's Declan Rice edged out in UEFA European Championship final | West Ham United". West Ham United F.C. Archived from the original on 29 October 2021. Retrieved 13 October 2021.
- ^ "Maddison, Rashford and Wilson make England squad". BBC Sport. 10 November 2022. Archived from the original on 25 November 2022. Retrieved 10 November 2022.
- ^ "World Cup Player Profile: Rice". USA Today. Archived from the original on 25 March 2023. Retrieved 25 March 2023.
- ^ Douglas, Steve (25 March 2024). "Declan Rice takes England captaincy on 50th appearance and ready to 'deliver history' at Euro 2024". Associated Press. Retrieved 25 March 2024.
- ^ "Eze & Wharton named in England squad for Euro 2024". BBC Sport. 6 June 2024. Retrieved 6 June 2024.
- ^ "Serbia 0–1 England". BBC Sport. Retrieved 17 June 2024.
- ^ Steinberg, Rachael (22 October 2022). "Declan Rice is best all-around midfielder in England – Gary O'Neil". Archived from the original on 17 June 2023. Retrieved 17 June 2023.
- ^ Bate, Adam (16 January 2022). "Declan Rice had become the complete midfielder". Archived from the original on 17 June 2023. Retrieved 17 June 2023.
- ^ "Declan Rice named UEFA Europa Conference League Player of the Season". 8 June 2023. Archived from the original on 8 June 2023. Retrieved 17 June 2023.
- ^ Hodson, Tony. "Declan Rice Tactical Analysis". Archived from the original on 17 June 2023. Retrieved 17 June 2023.
- ^ Oladehinde, Stephen (7 May 2023). "Declan Rice: 5 reasons why Arsenal must sign the English midfielder". Archived from the original on 17 June 2023. Retrieved 17 June 2023.
- ^ Roché, Art de (30 March 2024). "Rice was a defensive No 6 but is fast becoming an attacking No 8". The New York Times. Retrieved 21 June 2024.
- ^ Wright, Nick (24 September 2023). "Declan Rice is making an instant impact and driving Arsenal forward following his £105m move from West Ham". Sky Sports. Retrieved 21 June 2024.
- ^ Steinberg, Jacob (29 November 2019). "Mason Mount and Declan Rice: 'We're always together. They call us Dumb and Dumber'". The Guardian. London. Archived from the original on 4 February 2021. Retrieved 19 November 2020.
- ^ Townley, John (26 January 2024). "Who is Finley Munroe? Declan Rice cousin named in Aston Villa squad vs Chelsea". Birmingham Live. Retrieved 9 May 2024.
- ^ "Declan Rice apologises over apparent support for IRA on social media". The Guardian. 21 March 2019.
- ^ "Declan Rice apologises for pro-IRA posts on social media". Sky Sports. 21 March 2019.
- ^ Hampson, Laura (22 August 2022). "Declan Rice quietly confirms birth of first child with Lauren Fryer". The Independent. London. Archived from the original on 9 June 2023. Retrieved 9 June 2023.
- ^ a b "Games played by Declan Rice in 2016/2017". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 6 February 2019.
- ^ a b "Games played by Declan Rice in 2017/2018". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 6 February 2019.
- ^ "Games played by Declan Rice in 2018/2019". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 6 June 2019.
- ^ "Games played by Declan Rice in 2019/2020". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 5 September 2020.
- ^ "Games played by Declan Rice in 2020/2021". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 3 July 2021.
- ^ "Games played by Declan Rice in 2021/2022". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 11 November 2022.
- ^ "Games played by Declan Rice in 2022/2023". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 25 June 2023.
- ^ "Games played by Declan Rice in 2023/2024". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 19 May 2024.
- ^ "Games played by Declan Rice in 2024/2025". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 27 July 2025.
- ^ "Games played by Declan Rice in 2025/2026". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 18 October 2025.
- ^ a b "Declan Rice: Internationals". worldfootball.net. HEIM:SPIEL. Archived from the original on 25 June 2023. Retrieved 18 October 2025.
- ^ "England vs. Iceland 4–0: Summary". Soccerway. Perform Group. Archived from the original on 28 August 2020. Retrieved 18 November 2020.
- ^ "Hungary vs. England 0–4: Summary". Soccerway. Perform Group. Archived from the original on 2 September 2021. Retrieved 2 September 2021.
- ^ "Italy vs. England 1–2: Summary". Soccerway. Perform Group. Archived from the original on 23 March 2023. Retrieved 2 April 2023.
- ^ "Republic of Ireland vs. England 0–2: Summary". Soccerway. Perform Group. Archived from the original on 7 September 2024. Retrieved 7 September 2024.
- ^ "Finland vs. England 1–3: Summary". Soccerway. Perform Group. Retrieved 13 October 2024.
- ^ "England vs. Andorra 2–0: Summary". Soccerway. Perform Group. Retrieved 6 September 2025.
- ^ Stone, Simon (7 June 2023). "Fiorentina 1–2 West Ham United". BBC Sport. Archived from the original on 14 June 2023. Retrieved 17 June 2023.
- ^ Rose, Gary (6 August 2023). "Arsenal 1–1 Manchester City". BBC Sport. Retrieved 14 August 2023.
- ^ McNulty, Phil (11 July 2021). "Italy 1–1 England". BBC Sport. Archived from the original on 11 July 2021. Retrieved 17 July 2021.
- ^ McNulty, Phil (14 July 2024). "Spain 2–1 England: Heartbreak for England in Euro 2024 Final". BBC Sport. Archived from the original on 15 July 2024. Retrieved 15 July 2024.
- ^ McNulty, Phil (9 June 2019). "Switzerland 0–0 England". BBC Sport. Archived from the original on 11 June 2019. Retrieved 12 June 2019.
- ^ "Antonio crowned Betway Hammer of the Year". West Ham United F.C. Archived from the original on 26 May 2017. Retrieved 24 May 2017.
- ^ "Arnautovic crowned Betway Hammer of the Year". West Ham United F.C. Archived from the original on 26 April 2018. Retrieved 25 April 2018.
- ^ "Awards". West Ham United F.C. Archived from the original on 6 January 2023. Retrieved 26 May 2023.
- ^ "Declan Rice wins Irish Young Player of the Year award despite declaring for England". BBC Sport. 12 March 2019. Archived from the original on 13 March 2019. Retrieved 13 March 2019.
- ^ "Declan Rice named FA Ireland's Young Player of the Year". Sky Sports. Archived from the original on 7 April 2019. Retrieved 12 March 2019.
- ^ a b "The Winners: PAST & PRESENT". London Football Awards. Retrieved 14 November 2023.
- ^ "2021/22 UEFA Europa League Team of the Season". UEFA. 20 May 2022. Archived from the original on 20 May 2022. Retrieved 20 May 2022.
- ^ Simms, George (29 February 2024). "Rice, Palmer and Postecoglou among winners at 2024 London Football Awards". inews. Retrieved 7 March 2024.
- ^ "2022/23 Europa Conference League Team of the Season". UEFA. 8 June 2022. Archived from the original on 8 June 2023. Retrieved 8 June 2022.
- ^ "PFA Premier League Team of the Year". Professional Footballers' Association. 20 August 2024. Retrieved 20 August 2024.
- ^ "Salah and Rogers scoop PFA player of the year awards". BBC Sport. 19 August 2025. Retrieved 19 August 2025.
- ^ Arts, Electronic (10 April 2025). "Premier League Team of the Season - EA SPORTS FC™ 25 Ultimate Team™ - EA SPORTS Official". Electronic Arts Inc. Retrieved 1 June 2025.
- ^ "REVEALED: 2024/25 Fan Team of the Season". Premier League. Retrieved 1 June 2025.
- ^ "2024/25 Champions League Team of the Season". UEFA. Union of European Football Associations. 1 June 2025. Retrieved 1 June 2025.
- ^ "The Athletic's end-of-season awards, 2024-25: Men's football". The Athletic's. 28 May 2025.
- ^ "The Athletic's end-of-season awards, 2023–24: Men's football". The Athletic. The New York Times Company. 21 May 2024. Archived from the original on 21 May 2024. Retrieved 5 June 2024.
- ^ "The Athletic's end-of-season awards, 2024-25: Men's football". The Athletic's. 28 May 2025.
- ^ "Rice wins men's Player of the Season for 2024/25". Rice wins men's Player of the Season for 2024/25. 23 July 2025. Retrieved 7 June 2025.
External links
[edit]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Declan Rice.
- Profile at the Arsenal F.C. website
- Profile at the Football Association website
- Declan Rice – UEFA competition record (archive)
- Declan Rice at Englandstats.com
England squads | |||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| |||||||||||||||||||||
Declan Rice
View on Grokipediafrom Grokipedia
Early life
Upbringing and family heritage
Declan Rice was born on 14 January 1999 in Kingston upon Thames, Greater London, England.[7] He grew up in the south-west London area as the youngest of three brothers, Conor and Jordan, in a family of Irish descent.[8][9] Rice's father, Sean, was born in London to parents Margaret and Jack, who emigrated from Douglas, County Cork, Ireland, during a period of Irish migration to England in the mid-20th century.[7][10] His mother, Teresa, also shares Irish roots, providing Rice with eligibility to represent the Republic of Ireland through his grandparents under FIFA's eligibility rules.[11][12] This dual heritage shaped his early international options, though he was raised in an English environment with strong family ties to London football culture, including his father's support for Chelsea.[13] The Rice family exemplified working-class life in Kingston, where financial constraints were common but fostered a grounded upbringing focused on local opportunities.[9] Sean's role evolved from familial supporter to Rice's agent by 2020, reflecting the direct influence of parental involvement in his development.[7][14]Initial exposure to football
Declan Rice first encountered organised football at the age of six, joining five-a-side sessions on a caged pitch at the YMCA Dickerage Sports and Community Centre in Kingston upon Thames, where his parents had also met.[9] [15] These weekend gatherings often extended from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., involving informal kickabouts with friends that emphasised endurance and repeated practice over formal coaching.[9] Rice recalled early memories of kicking a ball as young as two or three, and even playing barefoot in snow, reflecting a self-driven immersion in the sport without access to specialised facilities or early professional oversight.[9] [15] His parents, Stephanie and Sean Rice, provided consistent logistical support, with his mother driving him to the youth club and supplying meals during extended sessions, fostering a routine grounded in family encouragement rather than external privileges.[9] This grassroots environment, centred on community-based play, highlighted persistence through sheer volume of unstructured activity as a key developmental factor, prior to any academy involvement.[9] Rice was scouted and signed by Chelsea's youth system at age eight while participating in these local activities, marking the transition from casual exposure to structured training.[9] [15]Youth and academy career
Chelsea academy years
Declan Rice joined Chelsea's academy in 2006 at the age of seven, beginning a seven-year tenure focused on foundational skill development in a competitive environment.[16][17] He advanced through the initial age-group teams, benefiting from structured coaching that emphasized technical proficiency and tactical awareness, though specific performance metrics from this period remain limited due to his early exit.[18] Despite showing promise as a defender, Rice encountered setbacks related to physical underdevelopment, appearing undersized and lacking the athletic presence required to compete consistently against peers at higher youth levels.[19][20] This led to irregular selection opportunities, culminating in his release at age 14 in 2013, a decision driven by academy evaluations prioritizing measurable physical readiness over potential alone.[21][22] Subsequent assessments confirmed that Rice's raw athleticism at the time justified the cut, as his growth spurt and maturation occurred post-release, underscoring the academy's merit-based approach grounded in empirical criteria rather than favoritism.[19][23] The Chelsea academy provided Rice with exposure to professional standards but offered no pathway to senior opportunities, reflecting the system's rigorous pruning of prospects not meeting developmental benchmarks.[24] This period highlighted the causal role of physical attributes in youth progression, where deficiencies in stature and strength—evident in Rice's case—often preclude advancement irrespective of technical aptitude.[22]Transition to West Ham United academy
Following his release from Chelsea's academy in 2014 at age 14, Rice trialed unsuccessfully at Fulham before securing a spot at West Ham United's academy later that year, where he impressed coaches with his adaptability in central and defensive midfield positions.[18] [23] This transition provided Rice an opportunity to rebuild his development trajectory, emphasizing physical robustness and tactical awareness honed during initial trial sessions and early youth matches.[25] Rice quickly advanced within West Ham's youth ranks, featuring prominently for the U18 and U21 squads and demonstrating strong defensive contributions, including effective tackling and interceptions in academy competitions.[16] His rapid integration culminated in signing his first professional contract on 18 December 2015, recognizing him as a promising academy midfielder with potential for senior progression.[26] This phase underscored how second opportunities at alternative academies can catalyze skill refinement absent in prior environments.Senior club career
West Ham United
Rice signed his first professional contract with West Ham United in February 2016, following his move to the club's academy from Chelsea two years earlier.[16] He spent the second half of the 2016–17 season on loan at AFC Wimbledon in League One, where he gained senior experience.[18]2016–2019: Professional debut and consolidation
Rice made his West Ham debut on 21 May 2017, substituting in the 82nd minute during a 2–1 Premier League victory over Burnley at the London Stadium.[27] [28] In the 2017–18 season, he broke into the first team as a defensive midfielder, making 26 Premier League appearances, including 15 starts, and contributing to the club's defensive solidity.[29] [30] By the 2018–19 campaign, Rice had consolidated his role, featuring in 34 Premier League matches and reaching 50 senior appearances for the club by December 2018, a milestone achieved as a teenager.[31] He signed a new long-term contract until 2024 in December 2018, reflecting his growing importance.[32] Rice captained the side for the first time on 28 December 2019, at age 20, in a match against Bournemouth.[17]2019–2023: Rise to captaincy and major triumphs
In the 2019–20 Premier League season, Rice demonstrated remarkable endurance, playing every minute of West Ham's 38 league fixtures, totaling 3,420 minutes, while ranking in the top five for tackles and interceptions per game.[17] Following Mark Noble's retirement, Rice was appointed permanent club captain in July 2022, succeeding the long-serving midfielder and assuming leadership at age 23.[33] [34] Under his captaincy, West Ham qualified for the UEFA Europa Conference League and reached the final, defeating Fiorentina 2–1 on 7 June 2023 in Prague to secure the club's first major trophy in 43 years—their first European title since 1965.[35] [36] Rice was named the competition's Player of the Season by UEFA's technical observers for his pivotal midfield performances. Over his West Ham tenure, he amassed 268 appearances and 19 goals across all competitions.[37] Rice departed for Arsenal in July 2023 after West Ham agreed to a club-record transfer fee.[38]2016–2019: Professional debut and consolidation
Rice made his professional debut for West Ham United on 21 May 2017, entering as a 90th-minute substitute in a 2–1 Premier League away win against Burnley, becoming the first teenager to appear for the club that season.[27] [39] Initially deployed as a centre-back during his academy progression, Rice signed a long-term professional contract extension with West Ham in July 2017 amid interest from other clubs.[18] The 2017–18 season marked Rice's breakthrough into the first team under managers Slaven Bilić and David Moyes, where he transitioned primarily to defensive midfield and recorded 26 Premier League appearances, starting 19, while contributing to 12 total starts across all competitions.[40] His emergence helped stabilize West Ham's midfield amid a challenging campaign that saw the team finish 13th in the Premier League, with Rice earning praise for his composure and tackling ability in a squad featuring international players like Javier Hernández and Marko Arnautović.[41] Under Manuel Pellegrini in 2018–19, Rice consolidated his role as a regular starter, featuring in 34 Premier League matches and amassing over 3,000 minutes across competitions without scoring in league play until 12 January 2019, when he netted his first senior goal—a 38th-minute volley in a 1–0 home victory over Arsenal, making him the first West Ham teenager to score in the Premier League since 2009.[42] [40] By December 2018, he had reached 50 appearances for the club, a milestone achieved as a teenager not matched since Michael Carrick.[18] Rice's performances, including high pass completion rates and defensive recoveries, positioned him as a cornerstone of West Ham's midfield rebuild, contributing to a ninth-place league finish.[43]2019–2023: Rise to captaincy and major triumphs
During the 2019–20 season, Rice established himself as a cornerstone of West Ham's midfield, playing in 41 matches across all competitions and earning the club's Hammer of the Year award for his defensive solidity and leadership qualities.[44] His performances helped West Ham secure a 16th-place finish in the Premier League, avoiding relegation by six points.[45] In the subsequent seasons, Rice continued as a regular starter, contributing to improved league positions, including 6th place in 2020–21, which qualified the team for the UEFA Europa League.[46] By the 2021–22 season, Rice's influence extended to on-field captaincy duties, often wearing the armband in the absence of Mark Noble, and he was again named Hammer of the Year after featuring in 51 matches.[47] Following Noble's retirement in May 2022, Rice was appointed permanent club captain on 12 July 2022, becoming the youngest to hold the role since Bobby Moore in 1958 at age 21.[34] Under his leadership, West Ham reached the Europa League quarter-finals in 2021–22 and demonstrated resilience in domestic cups. The pinnacle of Rice's West Ham tenure came in the 2022–23 UEFA Europa Conference League, where he captained the side through a successful campaign, defeating teams including AEK Athens, Gent, and AZ Alkmaar en route to the final.[35] On 7 June 2023, West Ham triumphed 2–1 over Fiorentina in Prague, with Jarrod Bowen scoring the decisive goal in the 90th minute; Rice played the full match and lifted the trophy, marking the club's first major honor in 43 years and first European title since 1965.[36] This victory, West Ham's first in European competition under captain Rice, underscored his evolution from academy product to talismanic leader.[48]Arsenal
Declan Rice transferred to Arsenal from West Ham United on 15 July 2023 in a club-record deal worth £100 million upfront, with an additional £5 million in performance-related add-ons, totaling £105 million.[49][50] As of February 2026, Rice is contracted to Arsenal until 30 June 2028, with an option for the club to extend by one additional year to 30 June 2029. His salary is £240,000 per week (£12,480,000 per year).[16][51] The fee matched Manchester City's record expenditure for a British player at the time and reflected Rice's status as West Ham's captain and a key performer in their 2023 UEFA Europa Conference League victory.[52] In the 2023–2024 season, Rice adapted quickly to Arsenal's high-pressing system under manager Mikel Arteta, initially deployed as a defensive midfielder before transitioning to a more advanced role. He featured in all 38 Premier League matches, contributing to Arsenal's second-place finish, seven points behind champions Manchester City. Rice recorded seven goals and eight assists in the league, including long-range strikes against Manchester United and Chelsea that highlighted his growing influence in the final third. Arsenal also secured the FA Community Shield with a 4–1 penalty shootout win over Manchester City on 6 August 2023, with Rice starting and playing the full match.[53][54][55] During the 2024–2025 and ongoing 2025–2026 seasons, Rice has solidified his role as a versatile box-to-box midfielder, leading Arsenal in key metrics such as carries, line-breaking passes, and possessions won in the early 2025–2026 campaign. Across 81 Premier League appearances for Arsenal through October 2025, he has amassed 12 goals and 17 assists, with 35 starts in 2024–2025 underscoring his consistency. In European competitions, including the UEFA Champions League, Rice has provided defensive stability and creative output, such as an assist in three 2025–2026 group stage matches. Despite individual accolades, including Arsenal's Player of the Season for 2023–2024, the team has yet to win a major trophy beyond the Community Shield, finishing second in the Premier League for the third consecutive year in 2024–2025.[29][56][4][57]2023–2024: Adaptation and integration
Declan Rice transferred to Arsenal from West Ham United on 15 July 2023 for a club-record fee of £105 million, structured as £100 million upfront plus £5 million in add-ons.[49] He was signed to bolster the midfield, primarily deployed as a defensive midfielder in Mikel Arteta's 4-3-3 system, anchoring the base alongside players like Martin Ødegaard and Thomas Partey or Jorginho.[58] Rice made his Arsenal debut on 6 August 2023 in a 2-1 Premier League victory over Nottingham Forest, starting and playing the full match.[59] In his initial months, Rice adapted to Arsenal's high-pressing, possession-oriented style, which contrasted with West Ham's more counter-attacking approach under David Moyes. He featured in all Premier League matches through the first half of the season, logging over 3,000 minutes by January 2024, and contributed defensively with an average of 2.02 tackles won per 90 minutes—nearly double his West Ham rate from the prior season.[60] A pivotal moment came on 12 November 2023, when Rice scored a 97th-minute header in a 1-0 win against Manchester United, securing three points in a title-contending campaign.[61] By mid-season, he had formed effective partnerships, particularly with Ødegaard, aiding Arsenal's transition play and helping the team maintain a defensive record of conceding just 24 goals in 38 Premier League matches.[62] Rice's integration extended beyond the pitch; he noted forming close bonds with teammates like Bukayo Saka and Ben White, facilitating his settling in north London after leaving his longtime club.[59] Arteta praised Rice's work rate and positional discipline, though identified passing accuracy into the final third as an area for improvement to elevate his impact.[63] Over the full 2023–24 Premier League season, Rice appeared in 38 matches, recording 1 goal and 7 assists while ranking highly in interceptions and progressive passes, contributing to Arsenal's second-place finish with 89 points.[53] In the UEFA Champions League, he played 10 matches, scoring 2 goals, including a last-gasp equalizer against Porto in the round of 16 that propelled Arsenal to the quarter-finals.[64] His seamless transition underscored Arsenal's midfield solidity, with Rice logging 51 appearances across all competitions and helping limit opponents to under one expected goal per game in multiple stretches.2024–present: Advanced role and key performances
Following his adaptation in the prior season, Declan Rice adopted a more advanced box-to-box midfield role at Arsenal during the 2024–25 campaign, frequently operating as a No. 8 with enhanced offensive responsibilities under manager Mikel Arteta. This tactical evolution enabled Rice to contribute significantly to the attack, registering 9 goals and 10 assists across all competitions.[65] His performances culminated in him being voted Arsenal Player of the Season, reflecting his dominance in both defensive recoveries and forward surges.[66] Rice's advanced positioning emphasized progressive ball-carrying and chance creation, with Arteta granting him license to roam beyond traditional holding duties. In one notable sequence, he scored crucial long-range goals, including two direct free-kick goals against Real Madrid in the UEFA Champions League quarter-final first leg on 8 April 2025, underscoring his shooting threat from distance.[67][68] By season's end, his contributions helped Arsenal challenge for major honors, with Rice's versatility allowing pairings with midfielders like Thomas Partey or Jorginho in deeper roles.[69] Into the 2025–26 season, Rice continued in this elevated role, leading Arsenal in total ball carries (147) and passes into the penalty area (57) through early matches, while tying for the team lead in chances created.[58] Despite an initial adjustment period marked by inconsistent set-piece delivery, he delivered standout displays, including a goal and two assists in his first eight Premier League appearances.[29] Rice credited Arteta's adjustments for making him feel "unstoppable," highlighting the freedom to influence games higher up the pitch.[70] This progression solidified his status as a pivotal figure in Arsenal's midfield dynamism.[71]International career
Youth international appearances
Declan Rice represented the Republic of Ireland at various youth international levels from 2015 to 2018, accumulating 17 caps across the U17, U19, and U21 teams prior to his senior considerations.[37] Born in London to parents with Irish grandparents, Rice pursued eligibility through Ireland's youth pathway initially, forgoing early England youth opportunities despite his birthplace.[72] Rice debuted for the Republic of Ireland U17 team on 24 September 2015, starting in a 1–0 UEFA European Under-17 Championship qualifying win against Finland.[73] He went on to make 6 appearances for the U17s, scoring 2 goals, and demonstrated defensive reliability in qualifiers, contributing to a solid backline presence that earned him the Republic of Ireland U17 Player of the Year award on 19 March 2017.[37][17] Progressing to the U19 level in 2016–2017, Rice featured in 6 matches, including UEFA European Under-19 Championship qualifiers, where his positioning and tackling helped stabilize midfield transitions against competitive opponents.[37] He received the Republic of Ireland U19 International Player of the Year recognition in March 2018 for his consistent performances.[72] At U21 level during 2017–2018, Rice earned 5 caps, debuting on 10 October 2017 in a friendly against Norway at age 18, and continued to exhibit tenacity in defensive duties across qualification fixtures.[72][37] These youth outings underscored his emergence as a dependable central figure, with no goals but notable contributions to team defensive structure in 17 total appearances.[37]| Youth Team | Years | Appearances | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| Republic of Ireland U17 | 2015–2016 | 6 | 2 |
| Republic of Ireland U19 | 2016–2017 | 6 | 0 |
| Republic of Ireland U21 | 2017–2018 | 5 | 0 |
Republic of Ireland senior caps
Rice made his senior debut for the Republic of Ireland on 23 March 2018, appearing as a substitute in a friendly match against Turkey in Antalya, which ended in a 0–1 defeat.[74] Five days later, on 28 March 2018, he featured in another friendly, a 0–2 loss to France at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis.[74] His third and final cap came on 2 June 2018, starting in a 2–1 friendly victory over the United States at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin.[74] The following table summarizes Rice's Republic of Ireland senior appearances:| Date | Opponent | Result | Venue | Competition |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 23 March 2018 | Turkey | 0–1 L | Antalya, Turkey | Friendly |
| 28 March 2018 | France | 0–2 L | Saint-Denis, France | Friendly |
| 2 June 2018 | USA | 2–1 W | Dublin, Ireland | Friendly |
Nationality eligibility switch
Declan Rice, born on January 14, 2000, in Kingston upon Thames, London, held eligibility for the England national team by virtue of his birthplace, while his paternal grandparents' origins in County Cork qualified him for the Republic of Ireland under FIFA's ancestry provisions.[76][77] After representing Ireland at youth levels and earning three senior caps—all in friendlies between 2018 and 2019—Rice submitted a formal request to FIFA on February 13, 2019, to change his association to England.[76][77] FIFA approved the switch on March 5, 2019, citing eligibility under its statutes, which permit a one-time change for players under 21 who have contested fewer than three competitive senior internationals.[78][79] Rice's prior appearances complied with this threshold, involving no official matches, thus rendering the transfer lawful despite initial Irish Football Association reservations.[80] In his public statement, Rice emphasized personal deliberation, noting consultations with both nations' managers and a preference rooted in his English upbringing and birthplace loyalty over ancestral ties.[81] From Irish viewpoints, the decision drew accusations of opportunism, with critics labeling Rice a "plastic Paddy"—a term denoting perceived inauthentic claims to Irish identity for sporting gain—and suggesting he delayed commitment to Ireland while awaiting England's potential call-up.[82] James McClean, a former Ireland teammate, endorsed early skepticism in August 2018 regarding Rice's fluctuating allegiance, later attributing ongoing critiques of Rice's abilities to underlying resentment over the defection.[83][84] Irish supporters expressed backlash, including chants branding him a "traitor" during subsequent encounters, though no rule breach occurred and FIFA's framework prioritizes player agency in such cases.[85] English perspectives framed the switch as a legitimate exercise in self-determination, aligning with FIFA's intent to accommodate birthplace primacy absent binding competitive commitments, and underscoring merit-based selection over rigid heritage loyalty—a stance empirically borne out by Rice's rapid integration and contributions, validating the pragmatic choice amid dual-eligibility complexities.[77][86] This contrasts with narratives emphasizing inclusive heritage over performance outcomes, as Rice's trajectory demonstrated causal advantages of aligning with his native nation's competitive infrastructure.[76]England senior team contributions
Declan Rice made his senior debut for England on 22 March 2019, entering as a substitute in a 5–0 UEFA Euro 2020 qualifying victory over the Czech Republic at Wembley Stadium.[2] By 14 October 2025, he had accumulated 70 caps and scored 6 international goals, establishing himself as a regular starter under multiple managers.[87] Rice featured prominently in England's 2022 FIFA World Cup campaign in Qatar, starting all five matches and logging 418 minutes as the team progressed to the quarter-finals before a 2–1 defeat to France.[29] His defensive contributions included 11 interceptions and multiple tackles across the tournament, anchoring the midfield alongside Jordan Henderson and helping secure three clean sheets in the group stage and knockout rounds.[88] In UEFA Euro 2024, Rice started every match, including the final loss to Spain, where he completed 90 minutes and contributed to England's run to the championship game with consistent ball recovery and progressive passing.[89] During the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, Rice played a pivotal role in England's dominant qualification, providing 4 assists—more than the rest of the squad combined—and recording 5 goal contributions overall. He was instrumental in the 5–0 away win over Latvia on 14 October 2025, which clinched qualification with two matches remaining, delivering key set-piece threats and supporting a clean sheet in a performance noted for midfield control.[90] Under head coach Thomas Tuchel, Rice assumed a leadership role, emphasizing team resilience and build-up play from deep, which correlated with England's unbeaten run and high possession dominance in qualifiers.[91] While Rice has not yet received major individual honors at the senior international level, his consistent starts in deep-lying midfield have aligned with improved team metrics, including reduced goals conceded per game during major tournaments compared to prior cycles without his full involvement.[92]Playing style and technical attributes
Declan Rice primarily functions as a central or defensive midfielder, with versatility to deploy as a deep-lying playmaker, box-to-box operator, or even an inverted full-back in advanced systems. Standing at 188 cm, his physical presence enables dominance in aerial challenges, where he wins a high percentage of duels through timing and leverage rather than sheer power. At West Ham, he anchored the midfield as a number 6, focusing on screening the defense and initiating transitions, but at Arsenal since 2023, Mikel Arteta has shifted him into a more dynamic role on the left of a double pivot or as an advanced 8, allowing greater involvement in build-up and late arrivals into the box for goals and assists. His versatility across defensive, box-to-box, and advanced roles has been a key factor in his high regard, with ESPN's Premier League Top 50 list in January 2026 ranking him as the second-best player in the league and describing him as "the best midfielder in the world" because he is "good at everything." As of February 2026, midway through the 2025–26 season, Rice is widely regarded as Arsenal's best player, leading the squad in average FotMob match ratings at 7.62.[93][94][95][5][6] Technically, Rice excels in progressive passing and ball retention under pressure, ranking highly in key passes and set-piece delivery, though his distribution emphasizes safety and forward momentum over intricate creativity. His passing accuracy exceeds 85% in the Premier League over multiple seasons, supporting quick counters or sustained possession. Defensively, he demonstrates elite anticipation and tackling instincts, recovering possession through interceptions and positional discipline, covering extensive ground as a "space-eater" to disrupt opposition build-up.[94][96][97] While Rice's aggressive pressing and balance aid transitions, critiques note occasional limitations in elite progressive carries or final-third invention compared to pure No. 8s, though empirical data shows adaptation with 7 goals and 8 assists in his debut Arsenal season (2023–24). His stamina and decision-making under fatigue underpin reliability across 90+ minute high-intensity matches.[98]Reception, praises, and criticisms
Accolades and empirical impact
Declan Rice captained West Ham United to their first major trophy in 43 years by winning the 2022–23 UEFA Europa Conference League, where he was named Player of the Season by UEFA's Technical Observer panel for his commanding midfield displays, including scoring in a 4–1 quarter-final victory over Gent on 20 April 2023.[99][100] Following his £105 million transfer to Arsenal in July 2023—the club's record fee—Rice earned selection to the PFA Premier League Team of the Year for the 2023–24 season, highlighting his integration into a side that mounted a serious title challenge.[101][102] He repeated this honor in the 2024–25 campaign, alongside teammates William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhães.[103] Arsenal's midfield control improved post-Rice's arrival, with his all-around contributions enabling a shift from a traditional holding role to advanced positioning, correlating with the team's sustained competitiveness in title races through 2023–24 and beyond.[104] His market value rose to €120 million by May 2025, underscoring the return on investment amid Arsenal's defensive resilience, as evidenced by conceding just three goals in the opening eight Premier League matches of the 2025–26 season.[16][105] Advanced metrics from his Arsenal tenure, including 22 shot-creating actions and 1.2 expected assisted goals per season in limited 2025–26 data, reflect causal uplifts in possession recovery and progressive play.[29] In October 2025, Patrick Vieira described Rice as a "complete midfielder" for his power, mobility, ball-winning prowess, and forward surges, attributing these to observable metrics like leading Arsenal in carries (97) and line-breaking passes (52) early in the 2025–26 season.[58][106] This empirical backing affirms Rice's value in elevating team performance without reliance on anecdotal praise alone. In January 2026, Rice responded humbly in a Sky Sports interview to discussions placing him among the world's top midfielders and in Ballon d'Or contention, stating, "I’m just Dec from Kingston, ain’t I?!" while crediting manager Mikel Arteta for reviewing clips of his early-season errors to improve his performance.[107]Controversies and tactical critiques
Declan Rice faced backlash in March 2019 following his decision to switch international allegiance from the Republic of Ireland to England, after earning three senior friendly caps for Ireland in 2018. James McClean, a former Ireland teammate, accused Rice of opportunism, claiming he had used Ireland as a "stepping stone" and telling him to "sod off" if pursuing England.[108] Rice refuted the opportunism narrative, stating his choice stemmed from reflection on his English father's heritage and family discussions, while affirming no FIFA rule violations occurred, as he had not played competitive senior matches for Ireland.[109] The switch complied with eligibility rules allowing changes after limited non-competitive appearances.[110] On August 31, 2024, Rice received his first career red card during Arsenal's 1-1 Premier League draw with Brighton & Hove Albion, via two yellow cards—the second for kicking the ball away to delay a free kick, breaching rules on time-wasting.[111] Referee Chris Kavanagh later admitted he "didn't like" the decision but felt compelled by protocol, with no appeal possible for double-yellow dismissals.[112] Critics, including former referee Mark Halsey, deemed it harsh, arguing inconsistent enforcement compared to similar unpunished acts by opponents like João Pedro.[113] Rice apologized to teammates and fans, acknowledging the error's impact on the result.[114] In April 2024, during Arsenal's match against Chelsea, a section of Chelsea supporters directed sexist chants at Rice's partner, Lauren Fryer, mocking her appearance with derogatory references to her weight, escalating to online body-shaming that prompted Fryer to delete her Instagram posts.[115] The incident underscored persistent fan toxicity in English football, with calls for bans on the perpetrators, though Rice publicly supported Fryer without engaging the abusers directly.[116] During Arsenal's UEFA Champions League quarter-final first leg against Real Madrid on April 8, 2025, a penalty awarded to Real for Rice's alleged foul on Kylian Mbappé was overturned after VAR review, with UEFA confirming no foul occurred and rescinding Rice's booking.[117] Rice denied influencing any simulation claims, emphasizing the decision's basis in replay evidence showing minimal contact.[118] Tactical critiques of Rice have centered on Arsenal's occasional over-reliance on him during build-up phases, where his positioning as a deep-lying midfielder can limit progressive options under pressure. Observers note tendencies toward short, safe passes or backward balls rather than riskier advances, potentially stalling transitions against compact defenses.[119] This stems from his hybrid defensive-attacking role, which, while versatile, exposes vulnerabilities when teams overload central areas, as seen in critiques of Arsenal's midfield structure involving Rice dropping deep alongside Ødegaard and Partey.[120] Such patterns have prompted suggestions for complementary profiles to diversify possession initiation.Personal life
Family and relationships
Declan Rice has maintained a long-term relationship with his partner, Lauren Fryer, whom he met during their school days in Kingston upon Thames; the couple began dating at age 17 and marked nine years together by April 2025.[121][122] Fryer has supported Rice through his career transitions, including attending events such as the June 2025 wedding of teammate Jarrod Bowen, underscoring the stability of their partnership amid professional demands.[123] The couple welcomed their first child, a son named Jude, on August 7, 2022, as confirmed by Rice via a tattoo revealing the infant's name, birth date, and Leo zodiac symbol.[124][125] This addition has reinforced their family unit, with Rice prioritizing private stability over public displays during his rise at West Ham and Arsenal.[126] Rice's paternal grandparents emigrated from County Cork, Ireland, instilling family ties that persisted after his 2019 nationality switch to England; he has expressed pride in these roots, noting visits and restraint in celebrations against Ireland, such as forgoing a goal dance in September 2024 to honor deceased relatives.[127][128][129] No public family conflicts have arisen from this heritage or career choices, reflecting a cohesive dynamic.[8]Public profile and incidents
Declan Rice has cultivated a relatively low public profile outside of football, prioritizing career-related updates on social media platforms such as Instagram, where he maintains over 5 million followers primarily for sharing professional milestones and fan appreciation, rather than commercial endorsements or personal endorsements.[130][131] His engagements avoid high-profile sponsorships beyond standard athletic partnerships like Adidas, reflecting a deliberate focus on athletic performance over celebrity culture.[130] In March 2019, Rice issued a public apology for a 2015 Instagram post containing the phrase "Up the RA," interpreted as support for the Irish Republican Army, which surfaced amid scrutiny over his international eligibility switch from Ireland to England.[132] He described the remark as a "stupid mistake" from his youth, made without political intent, and deleted the post, emphasizing regret amid backlash from Irish media and fans.[133] This incident, while isolated, highlighted tensions in his public image tied to national identity, though no further political controversies have emerged. In April 2024, Rice's long-term partner, Lauren Fryer, faced widespread online body-shaming and trolling after holiday photos circulated, prompting her to delete her Instagram account.[134] Rice publicly defended her, posting affectionate messages and condemning the abuse as indicative of toxic elements in football fandom, while Chelsea supporters directed chants targeting her appearance during a match.[135][115] He linked the harassment to broader cultural issues of misogyny and superficial judgment in the sport, advocating for resilience against such pressures without escalating personal details. This response underscored critiques of his off-pitch "nice guy" persona—often portrayed in media as affable and family-oriented—contrasting with his assertive on-field demeanor, though some observers attribute the image to selective reporting rather than inherent contradiction.[116] In January 2025, Rice committed two speeding offenses on the A217 road: driving at 37 mph in a 30 mph zone on 3 January and 49 mph in a 40 mph zone on 8 January. With six prior points on his licence, the additional points from these offenses resulted in a total of 15 points, triggering an automatic six-month driving disqualification imposed by Crawley Magistrates' Court in January 2026. He was ordered to pay £2,185, consisting of a £1,500 fine, £600 victim surcharge, and £85 court costs.[136] By 2025, Rice has addressed mental health in interviews, discussing resilience built from early career setbacks like Chelsea's youth release and public controversies, including the nationality switch backlash that affected his family.[137] He emphasized open conversations about struggles, citing personal experiences with pressure and the importance of support networks for sustaining performance, without delving into unsubstantiated victim narratives. These statements reflect a measured approach to public vulnerability, aligning with his expressed enjoyment of his midfield role amid evolving team dynamics at Arsenal and England.[138] In a January 2026 Sky Sports interview, Rice responded to praise positioning him as one of the world's best midfielders and a Ballon d'Or contender by stating, "I'm just Dec from Kingston, ain't I?", underscoring his humility.[139]Career statistics
Club statistics
Declan Rice's club career encompasses 378 appearances and 20 goals across all competitions as of 25 October 2025, primarily in the Premier League with West Ham United and Arsenal.[29] His contributions include defensive solidity in midfield, with limited but impactful offensive output.[29] The table below breaks down his appearances and goals by club and major competition categories (domestic league, domestic cups combining FA Cup and EFL Cup, and European competitions).| Club | Years | Premier League Apps (Goals) | Domestic Cups Apps (Goals) | European Apps (Goals) | Total Apps (Goals) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| West Ham United | 2017–2023 | 182 (7) | 30 (1) | 21 (4) | 233 (12) |
| Arsenal | 2023– | 84 (5) | 12 (1) | 15 (3) | 111 (9) |
| Career Total | 266 (12) | 42 (2) | 36 (7) | 344 (21) |
International statistics
Rice represented the Republic of Ireland at various youth levels, accumulating caps across U16, U17, U19, and U21 teams prior to his senior involvement, with five appearances for the U21 side between 2017 and 2018 without scoring.[6] At senior level for Ireland, he earned three caps in friendly matches during 2018—against Turkey on 10 September, Poland on 11 September, and Denmark on 13 November—scoring no goals.[77][140] Following his switch to England, Rice debuted on 22 March 2019 against the Czech Republic and has since amassed 70 senior caps with six goals as of 14 October 2025, his most recent appearance in a 5-0 World Cup qualifying win over Latvia.[87] His goals include strikes in UEFA Nations League matches and qualifiers, with one each against Albania (October 2021), Ukraine (March 2023), Denmark (October 2024), Republic of Ireland (September 2024), and two in other competitive fixtures.[87] In major tournaments for England, Rice has started every match he appeared in: four at UEFA Euro 2020, five at the 2022 FIFA World Cup, and seven at UEFA Euro 2024, totaling 16 starts without goals in those competitions.[89]| National Team | Period | Senior Caps | Senior Goals | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republic of Ireland | 2018 | 3 | 0 | All friendlies; no competitive appearances.[77] |
| England | 2019–2025 | 70 | 6 | Includes 16 starts in major tournaments (Euro 2020, WC 2022, Euro 2024); defensive metrics in qualifiers show high involvement, e.g., 95%+ passing accuracy in Euro qualifiers.[87][141] |