Declan Rice Reveals What West Ham Legend Said To Him Before His Move To Arsenal

Declan Rice moved to Arsenal for £105m in the summer after deciding to leave West Ham. He’s revealed what words Mark Noble said to him upon his decision to leave the club.

Rice didn’t want to leave the club on bad terms so he sought advice from manager David Moyes and club legend Noble:

“I called David Moyes and we had a really nice conversation. I felt like we owed it to each other to speak – I have so much respect for him,” he told FourFourTwo.

“I talked to Nobes [Mark Noble], too: it was a hard one for him because he’s Mr West Ham, but he was buzzing for me.

“He was so happy that I could push myself and compete in the Champions League this year.

“He said, ‘It’s nothing more than you deserve’. Some of the players messaged me as well – I had plenty of replies in the group chat we shared together, I was taken aback.

“They’re all such close friends of mine and I speak to them regularly. I texted the manager ahead of the first game this season, simply to say, ‘Good luck for the season and see you soon’. He replied, which was nice.”

Rice will welcome his former side West Ham to the Emirates on Boxing Day.

“It’ll be pretty strange when I play against West Ham this season, because there are so many lads I know and get on with – they’ll be saying stuff on the pitch, I’m sure!” Rice added.

“We’ve got them at the Emirates Stadium first, then at the London Stadium later in the season. It’ll be brilliant to go back there and see everyone.”

Rice has made a great start to life at Arsenal including scoring a late winner against Man Utd. He’ll be hoping to keep up his form and help Arsenal to success in domestic and European tournaments.