Time to move on! David Moyes insists West Ham cannot afford to dwell on Declan Rice’s £105m ‘sad’ exit as Scot says that ‘no player is EVER bigger than the club’
David Moyes adopted an upbeat tone in the wake of Declan Rice’s official exit from West Ham United.
The manager said that ‘no player is ever bigger than the club’ and looked towards a bright future, with the Hammers‘ focus firmly on ‘building upon the success’ they had in the Europa Conference League last season.
Rice released a heartfelt open letter to the club’s fans upon the confirmation of his £105m move to Arsenal this morning.
Moyes acknowledged that losing a long-time player is ‘sad’ but underlined the need to look forward.
He said: ‘West Ham United is a huge club and, as history shows, no player is ever bigger than the Club.
David Moyes paid tribute to Declan Rice but insisted West Ham need to focus on the future
Rice’s move to Arsenal has been confirmed and he has penned an open letter to Hammers fans
Our entire focus now is on building upon the success we enjoyed last season, adding to our talented UEFA Europa Conference League title winning squad as we enter our third consecutive season in Europe, and continuing to develop the best young talent through our successful Academy.
‘I’d like to personally thank Declan for everything he has done during his time at West Ham United. Obviously it is sad when we say goodbye to someone who has been with us for so long but we must now look forward.’
Rice is now preparing to depart on a US tour with his new club after his transfer was finally agreed on. It makes him the most expensive English player in Premier League history.
Weeks of delays as Arsenal’s lawyers sorted the paperwork had caused frustrations, but the midfielder can now look ahead – despite leaving behind a club that will ‘always be in my heart’.
West Ham chairman David Sullivan said credited the club’s role in Rice’s development. ‘I am sorry to see Declan leave us, but I believe that everyone at West Ham United should be very proud of the part we have played in his journey from the Academy of Football at Chadwell Heath to becoming the most valuable young player in English football,’ he said.
West Ham chairman David Sullivan said Rice has ‘earned his place in history’ with club greats
He also stated that the club’s intentions had been to build the team around him long-term: ‘I would like to make it clear to our supporters that we did not want to sell Declan. We wanted to build our team around him and made a series of improved, long-term contract offers to secure his future.
However, once Declan made it clear that he wished to move on and seek a new challenge, the Club felt it would not be right to stand in his way, acting in the best interests of West Ham United.’
Sullivan paid tribute to Rice’s legacy at the club. ‘He leaves with the sincere thanks, respect and love of everyone here, having earned his place in history alongside the great Bobby Moore and Billy Bonds as the only players to have captained West Ham United to a major trophy. More than that, he has always given absolutely everything for the football club throughout his time with us.
‘Declan will forever hold a special place in the hearts of Hammers fans and everyone here at the Club. We wish him well for the future and he will always be an inspiration and an example to any young player coming through our Academy.’
