Boss Moyes was anticipating his star player leaving well before the summer transfer window opened and there are no hard feelings between the pair. Rice opened up on his emotional departure during an interview with Channel 4 ahead of England’s stale 1-1 draw against Ukraine in Euro 2024 qualifying on Saturday.
“I really can’t explain the feelings, people leave clubs and lose affiliations with that club. I still speak to the boys regularly,” the 24-year-old revealed. “I texted the manager at the start of the season saying, ‘Good luck boss’.
“He texted me back. We’ve got a good relationship. People at the club, we’re still constantly talking and I never want it to not be like that.”
Moyes reacted to Rice’s exit by urging West Ham fans not to dwell on the midfielder’s “sad” departure and instead look to the future, with signings such as James Ward-Prowse, Edson Alvarez and Mohammed Kudus being recruited with the additional funds. “West Ham United is a huge club and, as history shows, no player is ever bigger than the club,” the Scot affirmed.
“Our entire focus now is on building upon the success we enjoyed last season, adding to our talented Europa Conference League title-winning squad as we enter our third consecutive season in Europe, and continuing to develop the best young talent through our successful academy.
“I’d like to personally thank Declan for everything he has done during his time at West Ham United. Obviously, it is sad when we say goodbye to someone who has been with us for so long but we must now look forward.”
Rice, meanwhile, has been enjoying life at Arsenal, bagging his first goal for the Gunners by netting the decisive injury-time strike during last Sunday’s dramatic 3-1 victory over Manchester United. With Arsenal still unbeaten after their opening four Premier League games and only dropping points once, the former West Ham captain is feeling the buzz.
Both men are class acts and a credit to the beautiful game.