From playing football barefoot in the snow as a boy, Declan Rice is set to become the Premier League ’s most expensive English player.
The 24-year-old is due to join Arsenal in a £105million transfer from West Ham United after completing a medical.
But despite the huge price tag, friends say the midfielder will never forget his roots, playing at his local youth club.
He was brought up in Kingston, south west London, the youngest of three boys to parents Stephanie, 56, and Sean, 57.
In an article for the FA last year Declan, wrote: “My first memories of football are with my mum and dad.
“There’s pictures of me 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 always had a ball to hand or foot. I was always picking it up and smashing it, so I think my parents knew from that point what I wanted to do.”
From the age of six he played five-a-side on a caged pitch at the YMCA Dickerage Community Centre in Kingston.
The youth club is where his parents first met and photos of a young Declan are pinned up there. In 2021, he said: “It was my special place and my second home.
“In primary and secondary school I’d run home, take off my gear and put on my football gear and come over here.
“On Saturdays I’d make my mum take me at opening time, 10am, and pick me up at 6pm. I’d go home sweating, with mud everywhere.”
His talent was spotted by centre manager Daniel Slocombe, who said: “We all called him Dave after David Beckham because he was so good. Declan’s worked so hard to get where he is but he never forgets where he’s from.”
Declan was eight when he signed for Chelsea – where fellow England ace Mason Mount also came through – but kept playing with his pals at Dickerage and later at Grey Court School in nearby Ham.
His former PE teacher, Stephen Willmore, said: “He is still the same infectious character, the way he comes across, his enthusiasm for the game.” He said Declan stood out as a “special” talent when he arrived at the school, aged 11.
“You don’t see many kids in Year 7 who can play with their right foot, left foot, with a good engine, with an ability to read the game. He ran the show. He was a lovely lad, infectious and fun. He captained the school team. Declan was at Chelsea but never missed a school game. His commitment meant the boys respected him.”
Declan has spoken in the past about his pride in playing for the school. He said: “I loved it so much. Games would be on Tuesday at 4.30, but that meant I wouldn’t be able to make the Chelsea training, so I’d ask Mr Willmore if we could start at 3.30.
“I’d play for school before my mum would come to pick me up, bring my Chelsea training kit and a little tub of pasta. It was a special time, I loved it.”
Mr Willmore is still in contact with Declan and has one of his framed West Ham shirts outside his office.
He said: “He left a legacy. Students know Declan came to the school and they know anything is possible.”
Declan – who was a fan of local team AFC Wimbledon – left Grey Court when he was released by Chelsea at 14. After being snapped up by West Ham he left home and moved to East London.
He said: “I stayed in digs until I was 18 and came home on weekends.
“Mum and dad came up on Wednesday because I was really homesick. I missed them loads. Mum wanted to pull me away from it. I’d cry on the phone to her. It would break her heart. But it’s about mindset, if you want to push on.”
Declan became a West Ham legend, playing over 200 games and lifting the Europa Conference League trophy.
A video of him hugging a crying fan then giving him his shirt cemented his place in Hammers fans’ hearts.
Off the pitch Declan, who has 43 England caps, enjoys a quiet life with his childhood sweetheart Lauren Fryer and their 11-month-old son Jude.
And despite his fame and fortune, part of him is still that wide-eyed little boy playing barefoot in the snow.
