"Saying Goodbye Is Never Easy”: Declan Rice Confirms West Ham Departure Ahead of Arsenal Unveiling

• Declan Rice has finally confirmed he is leaving West Ham
• Arsenal are expected to announce the midfielder’s signing on Saturday, December 15
• The Gunner have reportedly agreed on a British record transfer fee with the Hammers

After two weeks of uncertainty, Declan Rice finally confirmed his 10-year association with West Ham United was coming to an end.

The England midfielder released an emotional statement on social media confirming he would be leaving West Ham, with an imminent announcement by his next club Arsenal set to take place on Saturday, July 15.

In a message on his Instagram, Rice said as per BBC:

"I can't believe an incredible 10 years has come to an end. West Ham has been a massive part of my life on and off the pitch. Saying goodbye is never easy.”

"I've had some unbelievable highs, none higher than that night in Prague. I've also grown a lot as a person, a player and as a captain.”

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Arsenal will pay West Ham £105m for Rice’s services, an amount which is a British record fee between the two clubs.

The 24-year-old leaves West Ham with his last act for the club: lifting the Europa Conference League trophy, the first piece of silverware for the Hammers since the 1980 FA Cup.

West Ham’s chair David Sullivan was the first to admit the he did not want to see Rice leave, but the midfielder had made his intentions to move on clear.

Rice joined West Ham 10 years ago as a 14 year old, and credits the club for his development into the most sought after midfielder in world football.

According to Transfermkt, Rice featured 245 times in a West Ham shirt, and was named player of the season for the club on three occasions.

His abilities in midfield earned him a call up in the England squad, where he has been an integral part of manager Gareth Southgate’s plans.

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With the Arsenal announcement imminent, Rice is set to link up with his new teammates in time for a pre-season tour in the United States from Sunday, July 16.

Man United release statement on Mount

Sports Brief also reported on Manchester United's statement on Mason Mount after an incident with some fans.

The video, which has gone viral on Tiktok and Twitter, shows Mount getting hounded by two fans at night, but the 24-year old politely declined and walked away.

United have since commented on the incident with an exciting statement as they branded the two individuals in the video as “professional autograph hunters”.