Declan Rice is a talented and versatile footballer who plays as a defensive midfielder or a centre-back for Arsenal and the England national team. He is widely regarded as one of the best players in his position, known for his physicality, passing, tackling, and leadership.
The 24-year-old started playing football as a young player at Chelsea FC after being born in January 1999.
At the age of 14, he left the Blues to join the youth team of rival London club West Ham United.
Rice signed his first professional contract with West Ham United in 2015 and went on to establish himself as a regular in the first team for the Hammers.
After having represented the Republic of Ireland at the youth level, as his grandparents are from Cork, Rice switched allegiances and opted to represent England at the senior level, making his debut for the Three Lions in March 2019.
He was a regular member of the England squad that advanced to the Euro 2020 final in the summer of 2021. He agreed to join Arsenal in the summer of 2023.
So, what do we know about Rice’s path to becoming the excellent midfielder he is today? This is his story.
Birth and Childhood
Declan Rice was born on 14 January 1999 in Kingston upon Thames, England, as his father Sean Rice was working as a plumber at the time. He has two older siblings, a brother named Connor and a sister named Lauren. He grew up in a football-loving family, as his father, his uncle, and his cousin were all football fans. He started playing football at the age of five, joining the local club Chelsea FC Academy. He spent eight years at Chelsea, developing his skills and passion for the game. However, he was released by the club at the age of 14, due to his lack of physical growth.
Declan Rice’s Age
As of November 2023, Declan Rice, who was born on January 14, 1999, is now 23 years old.
Irish Heritage and Nationality
Declan Rice’s parents are both of Irish descent, tracing their roots back to the town of Douglas in County Cork. His grandparents moved to England in the 1960s, looking for better opportunities. His father, Sean Rice, was born in London but grew up in Ireland, where he played football for Cork City. His mother, Teresa Rice, was born in Ireland but moved to England with her family when she was a child. Declan Rice holds both British and Irish citizenship, but he chose to represent England internationally. He has said that he is proud of his Irish heritage and that he visits Ireland regularly to see his relatives and friends.
Declan Rice’s Parents and Family
Mother and Father
Declan Rice’s mother is Teresa Rice, a former heptathlete who competed at the national level in Ireland. She is a supportive and caring mother who encouraged Declan to pursue his dreams and helped him overcome his challenges. She is also a devout Catholic who instilled in Declan the values of faith and gratitude. She works as a receptionist at a local school, where she is well-liked by the staff and the students.
Declan Rice’s father is Sean Rice, a former plumber who now works as a taxi driver. He is a loving and protective father who guided Declan in his career and taught him the skills and mentality of the game. He is also a passionate football fan who supports Arsenal and Ireland.
Siblings and Relatives
Declan Rice has two older siblings: a brother named Connor and a sister named Lauren. They are both very close to Declan, and they often accompany him to his matches and events. They are also supportive of his career, and they celebrate his achievements and console him in his failures. Connor is a student who studies engineering at the University of Surrey. Lauren is a nurse who works at a local hospital.
Declan Rice also has many relatives in Ireland who are proud of his success and cheer for him whenever he plays. He has an uncle named John Rice, who played football for Cork City and Millwall. He has a cousin named Daniel Rice, who plays football for the Cobh Ramblers in the League of Ireland. He also has a grandmother named Mary Rice, who lives in Douglas and is very fond of Declan.
Declan Rice Religion
Declan Rice follows all Christian religious standards because he is a Christian.
Declan Rice Club Career
West Ham United
Declan Rice started his club career at West Ham United, where he joined the academy in 2014 after being released by Chelsea. He made his senior debut for the club in a 2-1 win over Burnley on May 21, 2017. He established himself as a regular starter for the club, playing in various positions, such as center-back, defensive midfielder, and right-back. He became the club’s vice captain in 2019 and was named the Hammer of the Year in 2020 and 2021. He scored 10 goals in 151 games for West Ham before leaving the club in 2023.
Arsenal
In July 2023, he signed a £105 million deal with Arsenal, making him the most expensive British player ever. He joined the club as part of a major overhaul by the new manager, Mikel Arteta, who wanted to build a young and dynamic team. He made his debut for the club in a 3-0 win over Brentford on August 12, 2023. He quickly became a key player for the club, forming a solid partnership with Thomas Partey in the midfield. He scored his first goal for the club in a 2-1 win over Manchester United on August 28, 2023. He has scored two goals in 12 games for Arsenal so far and has helped the club to the top of the Premier League table.
Declan Rice International Career
Ireland Youth Teams
Declan Rice represented Ireland at various youth levels, from under-16 to under-21. He was eligible to play for Ireland through his grandparents, who were born in County Cork. He made his debut for the Ireland under-16 team in a 1-0 win over Hungary on October 16, 2014. He captained the Ireland under-19 team in the 2017 UEFA European Under-19 Championship, where he led the team to the semi-finals. He also played for the Ireland under-21 team, scoring one goal in 11 games.
England Senior Team
Declan Rice switched his allegiance to England in 2019 after being persuaded by England manager Gareth Southgate, who saw him as a potential star for the future. He made his debut for the England senior team in a 5-0 win over the Czech Republic on March 22, 2019. He scored his first goal for England in a 4-0 win over Iceland on November 18, 2020. He was part of the England squad that reached the final of the UEFA Euro 2020, where he played in every game and impressed with his performances. He also helped England win the UEFA Nations League in 2023, scoring the winning goal in the final against France on June 6, 2023. He has scored four goals in 38 games for England so far and is regarded as one of the best midfielders in the world.
Awards and Achievements
Declan Rice has won several awards and achievements in his career, both at the club and the international level. Here are some of his major honours:
- West Ham United Young Player of the Year: 2016–17
- West Ham United Player of the Year: 2019–20, 2021–22, 2022–23
- Republic of Ireland U17 Player of the Year: 2016
- FAI Young International Player of the Year: 2018
- UEFA Europa League Team of the Season: 2021–22
- UEFA Europa Conference League Team of the Season: 2022–23
- UEFA Europa Conference League Player of the Season: 2022–23
Net Worth and Salary
Declan Rice’s net worth in 2023 is estimated to be around $17 million. He earns a salary of $200,000 per week at Arsenal, making him one of the highest-paid players in the world. He also has endorsement deals with Nike, Pepsi, and HyperX, among others.
Endorsements and Sponsorships
Declan Rice has endorsement deals with several brands and companies, such as Nike, Pepsi, and HyperX. He wears Nike boots and apparel and features in their advertisements and campaigns. He also promotes Pepsi products and appears in their commercials and events. He is also a brand ambassador for HyperX, a gaming company that produces headphones, keyboards, mice, and other accessories. He uses their products and shares his gaming experiences on his social media accounts.
Declan Rice Wife
Declan Rice has a strong and supportive partner named Lauren Fryer, who has been by his side throughout his career. Their friendship began when they were young and has continued for many years. Lauren Fryer, who was born in Chessington, has repeatedly demonstrated her passion by attending Rice’s games.
In 2021, they celebrated their sixth anniversary, which is a big mile stone in their journey together.
Acknowledgment Details:
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