Declan Rice has become the most expensive Englishman of all-time after West Ham and Arsenal agreed a whopping £105m deal for his services.
While many questioned his capacity to perform at the elite level during the formative stages of his England career, Rice has continued to mature and evolve, blossoming into one of Europe's finest defensive midfielders. Very few now doubt his talent.
The Hammers stalwart captained the club to Europa Conference League glory to wrap up his career in east London and will now go in search of Premier League titles at Arsenal. A combative and robust presence in the middle of the park, it's not just his ability that ensures Rice stands out from the rest. An odd shirt number has helped, too.
Declan Rice shirt number history
| West Ham | 41 |
| England | 18, 16, 4, 17, 8, 7, 5 |
| West Ham U21s | 16, 12, 6, 5, 41 |
| West Ham U18s | 68, 6 |
| Republic of Ireland U21s | 6, 7 |
| Republic of Ireland U19s | 5 |
| Republic of Ireland U17s | 4 |
Why does Declan Rice wear the #41 shirt?
The England international revealed at the start of 2023 why he's continued to wear the unusual #41 throughout his senior career. Those who want a meaningful story might be disappointed.
"It was just the number I was given in the academy by the kitman," Rice candidly told Gary Neville on The Overlap.
"When you are in the Under-23s there are the first team squad numbers and then it gets to the higher numbers and I was given 41 when I went to Seattle on my first trip with the first team. I was just given 41 and it has stayed with me since," Rice added.
The midfielder said that he might stick with the odd #41 for the rest of his career, jokingly saying he wasn't sure whether a new number would "hamper his performances".
What shirt number will Declan Rice likely wear at Arsenal?
While Rice said in that same interview with Neville that either the #4 or #6 shirts would interest him if he was to switch, the midfielder is expected to continue with the #41 shirt at Arsenal.
The options were admittedly limited with Ben White (#4) and Gabriel (#6) unlikely to give up their numbers. The midfielder perhaps could've waited to see whether Arsenal's current #5, Thomas Partey, left the club, but Rice will have no issue sticking with his tried and trusted #41 at his new club.
Comments