DECLAN RICE

Published June 18, 2026

Quick Facts

Key details at a glance

Full Name: Declan Rice
Country: England
Age: 27 years (born 14 January 1999).
Career Goal Record: Rice has scored 25+ senior goals across West Ham United, Arsenal and England, while primarily operating as a defensive or box‑to‑box midfielder.
Major Clubs: West Ham United, Arsenal.
International Career: After switching allegiance from Republic of Ireland youth teams, Rice has become a mainstay for England’s senior side and goes into the 2026 World Cup as a first‑choice midfielder.
Accolades: UEFA Europa Conference League winner with West Ham, key part of Arsenal’s title‑challenging teams, England Player of the Year‑level shortlists and inclusion in various Premier League Teams of the Season.
Early Life: Born in Kingston upon Thames, Rice joined Chelsea’s academy at age seven before being released and picked up by West Ham, where his physicality and reading of the game stood out in youth squads
Club Career: He broke into West Ham’s first team as a centre‑back before transitioning into midfield, eventually captaining the club and securing a record move to Arsenal in 2023, where he became the heartbeat of Mikel Arteta’s midfield.

International

Rice debuted for England in 2019 and has since been a regular at Euros and World Cups, providing balance, ball‑winning and progression from deep.

Playing Style

A dominant holding midfielder, Rice offers strong tackling, aerial presence, driving runs into space and calm distribution, with the versatility to play as a centre‑back in back‑three systems.