An exuberant midfielder who personifies determination and grace on the football field, Declan Rice stands tall as a testament to the power of perseverance and unwavering dedication. Born on the 14th of January in 1999 in London, he boasts a vision that belies his age, and his tenacious ability to disrupt opponents’ play shows that Rice’s rise to prominence is a true testament to the impact a player can make when guided by passion, humility, and an unconditional love for the game.

Rice’s journey from a young boy with a ball at his feet to an indispensable force in the heart of the midfield for both club and country is an awe-inspiring tale of talent catalyzed by relentless hours of hard work. Stay with us to discover episodes from his younger days, along with insights into his family, religion, love life, lifestyle, and other details beyond the football field.

Declan Rice Family

Being the only child born to Sean Rice and Theressa Rice, his upbringing received close attention and was carried out with great care. His family serves as a comforting and guiding canopy.

One notable aspect of Rice’s heritage is the diversity of his family and ancestry. His parents have Irish roots, but he was born and raised in England. This unique background left him with the choice of representing either England or Ireland.

Religion

Available data strongly suggests that Declan Rice follows the Christian faith.

Marital Status

Declan Rice is presently unmarried. There have been rumors of him dating several girls during his teenage years. However, he is currently in a relationship with his long-serving partner, Lauren Fryer, with whom he has a child. Lauren and Declan have been on this intimate journey together for nearly a decade, and she has been one of his most significant supporters and sources of motivation in his rise to stardom.

Childhood

Declan was born into a stable, working, middle-class family. He did not have to endure hardships or face difficult periods in his upbringing. Thanks to his parents, the Rice family’s needs were always met.

Declan’s passion for football was evident from a very young age. Whenever he requested a gift, it would invariably be a football or a jersey. His love for the game grew even stronger when he started school and made friends who shared his enthusiasm for football.

He also watched football on television whenever he had the chance. He grew up supporting Chelsea and considers John Terry and Yaya Toure his idols. In several interviews, he spoke at length about John Terry’s leadership and exemplary defending:

“For me growing up being a Chelsea fan having a season ticket there, going to all the big games just being in the academy, just him, looking at him.” “Everything was JT. The kit JT26 on the back, even when I was young I said if I make it I want to be number 26.”
“But I feel like as I’ve got older now I’ve grown out of that, because it would look a little bit creepy, getting the 26 on the back because of JT, but 100 per cent JT, he was amazing for me when I got released as well, he picked up the phone, he didn’t  have to I was only 14 at the time and I was speaking to my idol, so yeah we’ve got a good relationship.”

Youth Years

With an unwavering passion for the sport, the sky was the limit for Declan. He joined Chelsea’s youth system in 2006 at the age of 7, and this marked one of the most exciting moments in young Declan’s life. He was determined to give his best and make his mark during his time there. His impressive performances led to promotions to higher ranks, while others had to pause or were kindly advised to restart their football journey elsewhere with a different team.

However, as the talent pool in Chelsea’s youth system grew more competitive, young Declan’s performances slowly began to wane. The increased competition took a toll on his form and commitment to the team’s vision. Consequently, he was released from Chelsea, a heartbreaking experience for the young boy who saw it as a betrayal from a club he had passionately supported and pledged allegiance to as a child.

It didn’t take long for Declan to gather himself and turn the page to a new chapter, which was West Ham. He promptly joined their Youth team. He reminisces about this moment in an interview, saying

‘It was really tough,’ admits Rice. ‘Chelsea was all I knew and having to move to West Ham, I didn’t know what was going to happen.’

Rise to the Top

After a series of outstanding performances with the youth team, he was quickly promoted to the first team and signed his first contract in late 2015. Although he often found himself in the reserves and mostly featured in under-19 games, it was a breath of fresh air after moments of regret and dissatisfaction.

A reinvigorated Declan Rice representing West Ham in a reserves game

A year later, he was honored as West Ham’s Under-19 Player of the Year, drawing the attention of fans to the burgeoning talent in their midst. He received a call-up to the first team towards the end of the 2016-17 Premier League season, making his senior debut against Burnley in game week 38. Following an impressive preseason performance, he earned his full debut against Southampton on August 19, 2017. His outstanding performances and injuries to several notable first-team players secured his spot in the starting XI.

His electrifying displays on the pitch and unwavering determination led him to become the runner-up for the Hammer of the Year award in 2018 at just 19 years old. Despite attracting attention from major clubs, he expressed his intention to remain with West Ham. During this period, he switched his international allegiance from Ireland to England after representing the former in youth stages and earning three senior appearances, all in friendlies. This decision was met with controversy and criticism, but he remained steadfast in his choice.

Declan quickly established himself as one of England’s key players, thanks to his outstanding performances for both club and country. A stellar 2019/20 season ended on a high note when he finally secured the Hammer of the Year award in 2020, having consistently finished as a runner-up in the two years prior. By this time, he had become one of the hottest prospects in the market, and although he wasn’t available for transfer, links to England’s top clubs, including Manchester City, Arsenal, and Chelsea, persisted.After the retirement of club captain Mark Noble, the mantle was passed to Declan, who was appointed as the club captain in 2022 at the age of just 23. He had already become the star of his team and led them to European glory by winning the UECL, etching his name into the annals of football history.

After much speculation and his pursuit of a new chapter in his career, he joined Arsenal in July 2023 for a reported fee of £100 million, making him one of the most expensive English signings of all time.

He concluded his time at West Ham on a high note, winning them their first European trophy and cementing his status as a club legend at a young age.

Life Outside Football

Outside of football, Declan loves to travel to relax during the intense annual football season. He often goes on trips with friends and family whenever the opportunity arises.

He also shares a close friendship with his Chelsea counterpart, Mason Mount. They’ve been friends since the age of 8 when they first met in Chelsea’s academy.

In an interview with The Guardian, he recalled his memories of when he first met Mount. ‘It would have been on a Tuesday night at training,’ Rice explained. ‘We were seeing each other four times a week from the age of eight, and that continued until we were 14.

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