Aaron Ramsdale has welcomed Declan Rice’s arrival to Arsenal (Pictures: Getty)
Aaron Ramsdale has welcomed Declan Rice’s arrival to Arsenal and backed his England teammate to ‘lift’ the Gunners following a £105m move from West Ham.
Rice has been West Ham’s most important player in recent years and captained the Hammers to their first major European trophy since 1980 last season.
Ramsdale is close with Rice following their exploits for England and believes he will be a valuable addition at the Emirates Stadium.
Arsenal have also completed big-money summer deals for Germany international Kai Havertz and Netherlands defender Jurrien Timber as they look to build on an encouraging season under Mikel Arteta.
The Gunners came close to winning their first Premier League title since 2004 last term and booked a return to the Champions League following a six-year absence.
Asked what Rice will bring to Arsenal, Ramsdale told TNT Sports: ‘Energy, on and off the pitch.
The England midfielder left West Ham to join Arsenal (Picture: Getty)
‘He’s a loud character and loves to make people smile and laugh. It will be good to bounce off him because we’re similar personalities.
‘He was a great servant for West Ham and achieved a lot there, helping them win a trophy last season as captain. He left there with great experiences and he’s going to try and lift us now.
‘Having another person in the squad can only be useful and he can play different roles too.’
Arsenal made two unsuccessful bids for Rice before agreeing to meet West Ham’s valuation for the 24-year-old.
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Premier League champions Manchester City also submitted an offer to the Hammers but Arsenal were always considered the frontrunners to secure his signature.
After the transfer was confirmed, Arsenal legend Ian Wright revealed he spoke to Rice about joining the Gunners four months ago during a visit to England’s St George’s Park headquarters.
‘Everyone was saying about when I went to the England squad, I was tapping him up. Yes I f***ing was! Literally, I was begging him,’ the player-turned-pundit said on his Wrighty’s House podcast.
‘I don’t work for the club, I’m an Arsenal fan. I said, “Look at you and Saka, how cool you lot look together”. It’s just excitement.’
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Ramsdale has welcomed his England teammate to Arsenal.
