Declan Rice said his earliest football memories are with his mum and dad. There are pictures of him at two years old in the garden, wearing a nappy and kicking the ball. He always had a ball with him, whether it was a tennis ball, basketball or football. His dad took him to the local park to practise.
He is the youngest of three brothers. Connor and Jordan were older, so he always wanted to play with them and their friends. At six or seven, he would play five-a-side with them and dribble past their mates, who could not believe it.
Unlike most players, he never played organised football as a youngster. His brothers had played for local teams but lost enthusiasm for it. His dad saw parents shouting from the sidelines and did not want Rice to go through that. He wanted him to be a kid and just enjoy playing.
His cousin was at Chelsea’s academy and tried to get him a trial, but Chelsea said he needed to play for a team first. He eventually got invited to a pre-trial, did well, and then got a full trial. He signed for Chelsea’s academy and started learning and developing there.
He also used a local youth club to practise what he was told to work on at Chelsea, like left-foot and right-foot drills, technical ability and dribbling.
He loved school football at Grey Court School in Ham. His team was one of the best in the country. He would ask his teacher to change kick-off times so he could play before Chelsea training. His mum would pick him up, bring his Chelsea kit and a bowl of pasta, and he would eat on the way to training.
He still speaks to his teacher Steve. He said the coaching at Chelsea and what he later learned at West Ham helped him get where he is today. He is thankful to everyone who helped him along the way.
A Look at Declan Rice Diet
Declan Rice has a surprising pre-match meal. He eats four pancakes before a game, covered in syrup or honey. He said it gives him a high energy boost and has changed his season.
He used to eat fish and rice before games, but Arsenal’s nutritionist advised him to switch to pancakes. He said he does not understand the science behind it but it has been a game changer.
He sometimes has eight pancakes in a day if the game is at 5:30 pm, having some at breakfast and more at 3:30 pm before the match.
He also admitted to having a sweet tooth and enjoys sweets and fizzy drinks. After a game, he sometimes has a McDonald’s, and his nutritionist encourages players to eat whatever they can after playing, especially after 120 minutes.
A Look at Declan Rice Cars
Declan Rice owns several luxury cars, including a Range Rover Sport, a Rolls-Royce Cullinan, a Land Rover and a Lamborghini Urus. He is often spotted driving his Range Rover Sport, which has a supercharged V8 engine with 500 horsepower.
He was caught speeding twice on the same road in January while driving his Land Rover.
He transferred from West Ham United to Arsenal in July 2023 for a record-breaking £100 million fee. He earns a base salary of roughly £240,000 to £250,000 per week. This equates to over £12 million in fixed annual earnings.
He prefers to live a quiet life with his long-term girlfriend Lauren Fryer and their son Jude.
A Look at Declan Rice Real Estate
Declan Rice owns a £3 million mansion in Surrey. He also owns a house in Kingston-Upon-Thames. He grew up there with his long-term partner Lauren Fryer.
He has invested in other properties, including a penthouse in London purchased in 2021. The investment was around $2.5 million and a mansion in Chigwell, Essex. His property investments are managed through DP Property (Digbeth) Ltd and D P Interiors Ltd.
His net worth is estimated between £25 million and £30 million. He earns £12.4 million per year from his Arsenal salary, along with endorsement deals.
FAQs
Q. Where did Declan Rice first learn to play football?
A. Declan Rice learned by playing with his family and at the local park.
Q. Did Declan Rice play for a local team as a child?
A. No. Declan Rice did not play organised football when he was young.
Q. How did Declan Rice join Chelsea’s academy?
A. Declan Rice impressed during a trial and earned a place in the academy.
Q. What did Declan Rice do after school football?
A. Declan Rice went straight to Chelsea training with help from his mum.
Q. Who helped Declan Rice during his early football journey?
A. His family, teachers and coaches all supported his development.
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