West Ham fans pay thanks to ‘incredible’ Declan Rice after his £105m exit is confirmed

West Ham fans have taken to social media in their droves to chip in tributes to Declan Rice, with the bulk respecting his decision to leave for Arsenal. 

Club chairman David Sullivan earlier today stated that Rice has gone down in the club’s pantheon of greats alongside Bobby Moore and Billy Bonds, and there are plenty of fans offering similarly glowing reports. 

Alongside the gratitude, there were signs of a fanbase wanting to move on from this drawn-out ordeal, and some individuals refused to wish him good luck for moving to a fellow London club. 

One Twitter user said: ‘Farewell Declan, you will always be part of West Ham history and you will be missed. It’s been a joy watching you play and seeing you grow as an athlete over the past 6 years.’ 

More piled in with the praise as another tweeted: Good luck Dec I really hope that Arsenal appreciate how lucky they are to have a player of your quality. You’ve done us proud, & you’ll always be an Iron in our hearts. Thanks’. 

Declan Rice is one of just three captains to lift a European trophy with West Ham 

One punter said that most people would do the same taking the emotion out of being a fan

Another said: ‘An incredible player and leader for such a young age – thank you, Declan, for the highs! Wishing him all the very best at Arsenal’.

One fan took the chance to defend Rice for moving to a bigger club. They wrote: ‘All the best to you Dec, a heartfelt letter there, and personally I understand the need to try to better yourself. Take the emotion out of being a fan, and that’s what most people would do as well given the opportunity. So thanks for the great memories, and good luck’.

Others, however, seemed slightly more bitter that Rice had moved on to one of their capital city rivals. Responding to Rice’s emotional message to Hammers fans, one commented: ‘Interesting message. Typical Dec comments, but Arsenal?! Time will tell if it was the right move. Would always welcome him back though. It’s been a pleasure to watch him flourish but us West Ham fans have moved on now.’ 

‘It’s been a pleasure to watch him flourish but us West Ham fans have moved on now’

Another said: ‘I for one am grateful to Dec for his time with us. Captained us to our 1st trophy in over 40 years and helped keep us up last year. However I can’t wish him luck due to now playing for Arsenal.’ 

In similar fashion to how some fans are quickly moving on, the Irons are moving swiftly to try and replace their talisman.

The club have made reportedly contact with Ajax over 25-year-old Edson Alvarez and former Chelsea loanee Denis Zakaria has been linked with a move to the London Stadium.