Squad

Declan Rice

Midfielder

Legacy Number: 1241
Dob: 14 January 1999 (27YRS)
Height: 6FT 2" (188cm)
Preferred foot: right
Place of birth: London, England
Current club: Arsenal FC
England debut: 22/03/2019
Senior caps: 75
Senior Goals: 7

"You can’t describe it. A straight smile, I just couldn’t believe it. I was just bursting with pride. It’s everything that you’ve wanted to work for as a kid and it has come true. The call-up is one of the best feelings you’re ever going to feel."

County FA: Surrey FA

Declan declared his intention to represent the Three Lions in February 2019, having previously featured for Republic of Ireland through their development teams and picking up three caps for their senior team in non-competitive games after breaking into the first team with West Ham United.

His performances at the London Stadium caught the eye of Gareth Southgate and his first call-up for England duly came in March 2019, when he was selected for the start of the EURO 2020 qualifying campaign.

Born in Kingston-upon-Thames in Surrey, Rice was initially on the books of his local club Chelsea from the age of seven before he switched south-west London for the east end and joined West Ham in 2014.

Starting out as a defender initially, Rice's development with the Hammers continued apace and he made his debut at the end of the 2016-17 season, before adding more appearances in the following campaign.

It was when he was moved forward into a midfield role under the charge of Manuel Pellegrini during the 2018-19 season that he really started to shine, as Rice's performances put him among the best midfielders in the Premier League, all before he had turned 20.

After a debut against Czech Republic at Wembley in March 2019, he was part of the squad who finished third at the inaugural UEFA Nations League Finals and completed a successful qualification campaign for EURO 2020.

By EURO 2020, Rice was integral to Southgate's plans, alongside Kalvin Phillips in the heart of midfield, and he started all seven of England's matches on their way to the Final.

He did the same as England reached the quarter-finals of the 2022 World Cup and, the following season, he lifted the first silverware of his career as he helped West Ham to the UEFA Conference League title.

A move to Arsenal followed, with Rice continuing to be a major part of the Three Lions set-up as he played every minute en route to the final of EURO 2024.

The midfielder was a central figure as the Gunners were crowned Premier League champions in 2025-26, earning himself a call-up to Thomas Tuchel's squad for the FIFA World Cup 2026.