Declan Rice, born January 14, 1999, is an English professional footballer who excels as a defensive midfielder for Arsenal and the England national team. Renowned for his stamina, strength, ball-carrying skills, and tackling prowess, Rice is regarded as one of the top defensive midfielders globally. Rice began his career at West Ham United after being released by Chelsea’s academy. By 2017, he had become a crucial first-team player. In 2022, he succeeded Mark Noble as West Ham’s captain and led them to a UEFA Europa Conference League title, earning Player of the Season honors. After 245 appearances for West Ham, Rice joined Arsenal in July 2023 for a record £100 million, making him the joint-most expensive English player ever. Initially representing the Republic of Ireland, Rice switched his allegiance to England in 2019. He has since played at UEFA Euro 2020, the 2022 FIFA World Cup, and UEFA Euro 2024.