Declan Rice Biography

On a fast track to the very top of the game since joining West Ham United at the age of 14, Rice established himself as one of the finest Premier League defensive-midfielders as he achieved the captaincy of one of the best West Ham teams in the history of the Premier League.

Rice has featured in 151 games for

, scoring six goals and providing six assists. The 22-year-old’s role at West Ham has changed from being a central midfielder to a defensive one in recent seasons. However, the England international has flourished in his new role, persuading the Hammers boss David Moyes to keep him in the new position as well as him securing a place in Gareth Southgate’s England’s starting XI as well.

Despite being born to Irish parents and playing three games for the Ireland national team, the Kingston-upon-Thames-born player switched his international allegiance from the Republic of Ireland to England in March 2019 and ever since was essential to the Three Lions.

Here, we gather you

Declan Rice life story

in addition to a deep analysis of his career and playing style, and we learn inside and outside the life of a player that is on top of the wish list of clubs like Manchester United and Chelsea.

All You Need to Know About Declan Rice Biography

Here in Declan Rice biography, we first learn some basic facts about the West Ham captain before going in-depth about his career and

Declan Rice bio

.

Declan Rice Information

Declan Rice date of birth

is 14 January 1999, and here are some basic facts about the Scottish football icon.

• Full name: Declan Rice

• Nickname: Declan

Personal information

• Date of birth: 14 January 1999

• Zodiac sign: Capricorn

• Place of birth: Kingston upon Thames, England

• Religion: Christian

• Mother’s name: Teresa Rice

• Father’s name: Sean Rice

• Nationality: German

• Marital status: Dating

• Girlfriend: Lauren Fryer

Body Measurements

• Hair color: Brown

• Eye color: Brown

• Height: 1.85 m

• Weight: 80 kg

• Body Type: Athletic

Declan Rice Early Life

Born and raised in Kingston upon Thames to his Irish parents, Teresa and Rice,

Declan Rice childhood

reaches its peak point early as he joined the academy of Chelsea in 2006, as a seven-year-old.

Remembering his childhood, Rice said:

“There’s pictures of me at home in the garden with snow and rain coming down, wearing a nappy and pelting the ball as soon as I could walk at two years old.

“I just always had a ball to hand or foot, whether it was a tennis ball, a basketball or a football, I was always picking it up and smashing it, so I think my parents knew from that point what I wanted to do.”

Declan’s parents were supportive of his passion as they started training him themselves early. He’s the youngest of three brothers, Connor and Jordan. Despite joining

at such an early age, his life changed forever when he was released at age of 14 and joined the West Ham academy.

On 16 December 2015, just over a year after joining West Ham United at youth level, Rice signed his first professional contract with the club and put all of his focus to the love he game as he received his first call-up to the West Ham senior squad for the games against Sunderland and Everton in April 2017, after impressing in the under-23 team.

Declan Rice Profile

After rising through the ranks of West Ham academy rapidly, Rice made his senior debut against Burnley on the last day of the 2016–17 Premier League season, coming on as a 91st-minute substitute for Edimilson Fernandes in a 2–1 away win just five days after captaining the club’s under-23 team to promotion with a 2–1 win at Newcastle United.

His full senior debut came later as he started in a 3–2 defeat at Southampton on 19 August 2017. On 19 March 2017, Rice was named Republic of Ireland U17 player of the year. Despite being born in England,

Declan Rice nationality

is more of Irish as his grandparents are from Cork.

He made his senior

debut on 23 March 2018 in a 1–0 defeat to Turkey in a season that Rice impressed everyone in the Premier League. Making 26 appearances for the Hammers in that season, Rice was named as the runner-up for the 2017–18 Hammer of the Year award behind Marko Arnautović. he made his 50th appearance for West Ham on 22 December as a teenager. The club awarded Rice with a new contract until 2024 with the option of an additional year.

Rice’s progress continued sharply as he became a regular for West Ham, playing 34 Premier League games. Rice scored his first goal for West Ham and was named man of the match in a 1–0 win against Arsenal. On 20 April 2019, Rice was named on the shortlist for the PFA Young Player of The Year award, which was eventually given to Rice's England teammate Raheem Sterling eight days later.

At the end of the 2018–19 season, Rice was named the Players' Player of the Year as well as winning the award for Individual Performance of the Season for his match-winning performance against Arsenal and was named the Young Hammer of the Year for the third consecutive season.

He constantly linked with a move to Manchester United or Chelsea the coming summer. However, the Hammer stayed put as he played in all 38 league games for West Ham in the 2019-20 season and was named Hammer of the Year.

After being neglected by Ireland boss Martin O'Neill, in December 2018, Rice met with new Ireland manager Mick McCarthy and his assistant, Robbie Keane. McCarthy said that Rice was a potential future captain of Ireland and that he would build the team around Rice should he decide to play for the country.

However, on 13 February 2019, Rice pledged his future to England and had his change of allegiance confirmed by FIFA on 5 March. On 25 March 2019, England manager Gareth Southgate handed Rice his first start for the national side during a 5–1 victory over Montenegro and following Rice's successful season, he was handed a place in the England squad for the 2019 UEFA Nations League Finals.

Rice was named in the England squad for UEFA Euro 2020 and was essential to England’s run to the finals as he played in all of England’s seven games in Euro 2020 where they lost in the final to Italy.

As of 2021, Rice is the vice-captain of West Ham United and one of the best Premier League midfielders. On 16 September 2021, Rice made his European debut and scored his debut European goal in a 2–0 away victory over Dinamo Zagreb in the Europa League.

Style of Play

In this part of

Declan Rice biography

, we bring a deep analysis of Hammer’s playing style.

A tackler and a ball carrier, someone who can win it back and then take responsibility for what to do with it next. It is enough to put him in the top bracket of midfielders in Europe and, given that Rice only turns 23 on January 14th, further progress can be expected.

He seems very down-to-earth and plain, but in a good way. He is confident, as he’s every right to be, but also not overly cocky or pushy. To play his role requires a degree of bravery on the ball and much grit to do the defensive work, yet he doesn’t seem a dominant sort of character. When watching him we might often forget it is him I’m watching, because he’s not incredibly distinctive. I like this. Some players are attractive because they’re skillful and flashy, or they have a distinctive haircut or huge bulbous calves, but not our Dec.

This must also be what

likes about him. A man who does all the hard yards and then some is always going to be popular with the grindcore Scot.

His is also a very interesting role on the pitch. Interesting because so often he is at the heart of the action, be it defensively or moving forward. If I was a young boy, I’d want to be Declan Rice because you’re always involved in the game, breaking up play at the back and moving vertically with the ball, setting up moves, and laying on passes to help make goals.

Geir Jordet, a professor at the Norwegian School of Sports Sciences who has been analyzing the importance of scanning since 1998, analyzed Rice’s performance in their recent victory over Crystal Palace. He said:

"Scanning does not tell us everything, but it gives us a little bit of a window into the vision awareness process that these players have. It is a glimpse of the extent to which these players are aware of their surroundings."

With Rice, it is not just the quantity of his scanning but the quality of it.

"Do not just look but perceive what is happening. And ultimately use it to guide your actions. Rice recognized where the space was and he picked out the right pass to make as well.

He has surpassed already high expectations this season with West Ham, improving once more and inspiring a team that is now fifth in the table. A player once seen as a defender in the long term is now showing that there is so much more to his game.

Declan Rice does exactly what he is being asked to do by his current employers. His defensive ability is close to being one of the very best in the league. He is a workhorse off the ball. If you are looking for a box-to-box or someone who can build up your attack, Rice isn’t your guy. Rice is linked with his boyhood club Chelsea and many other potential suitors. He is likely to be West Ham’s biggest sale ever for the coming years, he has a contract that runs till 2024. All these factors and his qualities mean he isn’t coming cheap.

On his own playing style, Rice found it laughable some label him as a centre-back. He said:

"I think you can see in my game I'm never a centre-back. I feel like I've got too much ability to be playing at the back.

"I want to be progressive and athletic. I feel like I can do that in a midfield sense. I feel like now I'm not just a holding midfielder anymore.

"I was always labelled as one that just sits in front of the back four, I really now want to see myself as a box-to-box player where I can get up and down and start creating things as well as getting back and helping the team as well. There is still a long way to go and I can improve so much.

"I feel like as I've progressed and got taller, stronger and better on the ball I've moved into midfield I've built the confidence to play there. Now that is where I feel I influence the game the most. I feel like if I went back to the back I wouldn't have much impact on the game."

Reception

Declan Rice’s performances are being widely credited with being one of the reasons the club is having such a successful season. Being a West Ham fans’ favorite, Rice is adored by England fans as well.

Working as a twin pivot with Philips for England has been as successful as it is satisfying to watch, as they chase down the opposition the way wild dogs hunt the weakest gazelle, crowding them out, nibbling, and blocking, then one of them robs the ball and the other distributes it upfield, the danger is past and a new attacking move underway.

There is no doubt that Declan is a foremost performer in his role as a progressive back four screeners, and there’s no doubt he will be courted by all of the big-spending clubs. He is incredibly versatile, doesn’t play like a ‘normal’ defender, and looks at home playing as an 8 as he does a 4.

There has been a lot of informed talk about him being exactly the player that

need while some feel he is the perfect fit for Liverpool who does love a progressive defensive midfielder, however, if West Ham continues to be a preeminent club and get into the Champions League, building the squad around players like himself, there is no reason why he shouldn’t stay in East London.

Goal Celebration

He’s only scored seven goals in his career so far and even for a defensive player that’s not a good record. Especially for a player like Declan, who isn’t a mere stopper, especially so. So that is certainly an area of his game he could develop.

However, his goal celebrations are simple unless there’s a reason for controversy. Declan Rice was delighted to “silence the haters” after his celebration during England's 4-0 win in Hungary went viral. The West Ham star scored the final goal as the Three Lions took control of their World Cup qualifying group with a comprehensive victory and hushed the haters.

Declan Rice Outside Football

The youngster has just recently signed a professional contract so his net worth is estimated to be around £500,000, a value that will surely see a meteoric rise in the years to come as one of the most promising talents in world football.

However, the youngster tries to adapt his lifestyle to the best outcome for his football career. Not a man of controversies, Declan Rice is good at keeping his childhood relationships last for a very long time. For example, Lauren Fryer is the gorgeous long-term girlfriend of the West Ham United star.

Born of Irish descent,

Declan Rice religion

is Christianity. He has two brothers, Connor and Jordan, who also previously played football professionally. Unlike many English players, Declan Rice said he's currently 22 years old but he never had a beer, he doesn't like the smell of beer and he doesn't go near it. But if England wins the Euro 2020, Declan Rice said he may give it a try but he will probably spit it out, which due to their defeat to Italy never happened.

Declan Rice Personal Life

Despite his interest in keeping his personal life private, there comes sometimes some whispers about Rice’s personal life, for example, he doesn’t like drinking.

In an interview, Declan made a joke that his girlfriend is jealous of his friendship with the Chelsea star, Mason Mount. Declan and Mason have been friends since they were 8-years-old, so the English international said that Lauren has to understand the connection he has with Mount.

His England teammate,

, also revealed Rice is not that bad of a singer.

“We came back from the golf trip and just sat there, and Ed Sheeran is sat literally where the camera is – there were whispers but we were like 'naa, come on, he's not coming!'. But he's sat there, gets the guitar out and plays 6 or 7 songs.

"Dec [Rice] has to sing with him, I think Dec was late to a meeting or something, and he sang Wonderwall with him. So Dec is singing Wonderwall and halfway through the song Dec goes 'Yeh come on Ed, join in with me! Come on Ed, give us a bit!'

"But we're all singing, it's like a little private concert and then we went inside, and basically put the phone on and had a little bit of a DJ and dancing around.

Family, Children and Relationships

As we mentioned earlier, Declan Rice is in a long-term relationship with Lauren Fryer. The two have been dating since they were teenagers. Declan and Lauren started their relationship in 2017. Many believe that Declan and Lauren are married, but they are still taking their time.

Lauren Fryer was born on June 16, 1999, so her age is 22. According to her birthday, Lauren's zodiac sign is Gemini, meaning that she is an enthusiastic and dynamic person. Usually, people born under the sign of Gemini are always ready to expand their knowledge, whether this means reading something or through experience.

Philanthropy

Among the players and officials to sign up as an Ambassador of the DT38 Foundation is Declan Rice.

DT38 Foundation is a charity organization that has been set up in memory of Dylan James Tombides. Dylan was an Australian International and West Ham United professional football player who passed away aged 20 in April 2014 after a 3 year battle with testicular cancer.

Speaking on the importance of winning the Dylan Tombides Award in 2016 for his outstanding Academy performances, Rice said: “It was a special moment for me. To win such a prestigious award at such a young age was a dream come true.

“I didn’t know Dylan but I heard he was a lovely boy and a top footballer, so it made it more special for me.”

Legal Issues

While some footballers at various levels have certainly had legal problems, Declan Rice has never had a legal dispute in his lifetime.

Declan Rice Career Statistics

During his professional career, Tom Davies has featured for one team already but displayed well for two national teams. Here we gather statistics of the West Ham and England hero.

Club

Making a total of 170 appearances for the Hammers, Rice has contributed 8 goals 10 assists. He also grabbed 20 yellow cards without being sent off even once.

On 22 December 2018, he made his 50th appearance for West Ham, the first player to do so while still a teenager since

.

The England international also made history by scoring his sixth goal in all competitions for the Hammers at Stadion Maksimir

Declan Rice has joined Frank Lampard in West Ham's record books after finding the net in their Europa League clash with Dinamo Zagreb. Lampard scored in a 1999-20 UEFA Cup encounter with NK Osijek at the age of 22 years and 88 days, with Rice only 157 days older when breaking his duck on the continental stage.

International

Declan Rice was the first player to play for both Republic of Ireland and England since Jack Reynolds in the 1890s. After being neglected by Ireland boss Martin O'Neill, which restricted his Ireland appearances to 3 games, on 13 February 2019, Rice pledged his future to England and had his change of allegiance confirmed by FIFA on 5 March. On 25 March 2019, England manager Gareth Southgate handed Rice his first start for the national side during a 5–1 victory over Montenegro, and following Rice's successful season, he was handed a place in the England squad for the 2019 UEFA Nations League Finals.

Rice was named in the England squad for UEFA Euro 2020 and was essential to England’s run to the finals as he played in all of England’s seven games in Euro 2020 where they lost in the final to Italy.

Rice has already made a total of 27 caps for England at the age of 22 and will undoubtedly build on for more.

Declan Rice Honors

In this last part of

Declan Rice biography

, we take a look at Hammer’s honors.

Rice was named West Ham United Young Player of the Year consecutively in three seasons. He was also named 2019-20  West Ham United Player of the Year in addition to being named the 2016 Republic of Ireland U17 Player of the Year.

He also was essential in England’s run to Euro 2020 finals, where they lost to Italy. In addition, he achieved third place with England in the 2018-19 UEFA Nations League.

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Declan Rice biography

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