West Ham United and Declan Rice said their goodbyes on social media ahead of his transfer to Arsenal with the midfielder explaining why he was leaving.

West Ham United announced that Declan Rice is leaving the club on Saturday morning.

The Hammers confirmed that Rice is making a transfer for a British record fee, with statements from the higher-ups at West Ham about the deal and about Rice himself.

Joint West Ham Chair David Sullivan said: “I am sorry to see Declan leave us, but I believe that everyone at West Ham United should be very proud of the part we have played in his journey from the Academy of Football at Chadwell Heath to becoming the most valuable young player in English football.​

“I would like to make it clear to our supporters that we did not want to sell Declan. We wanted to build our team around him and made a series of improved, long-term contract offers to secure his future.

“However, once Declan made it clear that he wished to move on and seek a new challenge, the Club felt it would not be right to stand in his way, acting in the best interests of West Ham United.

“He leaves with the sincere thanks, respect, and love of everyone here, having earned his place in history alongside the great Bobby Moore and Billy Bonds as the only players to have captained West Ham United to a major trophy.

“More than that, he has always given absolutely everything for the football club throughout his time with us.​

“Declan will forever hold a special place in the hearts of Hammers fans and everyone here at the Club. We wish him well for the future and he will always be an inspiration and an example to any young player coming through our Academy.”

West Ham manager David Moyes added: “I’d like to personally thank Declan for everything he has done during his time at West Ham United. Obviously it is sad when we say goodbye to someone who has been with us for so long but we must now look forward.

“West Ham United is a huge Club and, as history shows, no player is ever bigger than the Club.

“Our entire focus now is on building upon the success we enjoyed last season, adding to our talented UEFA Europa Conference League title-winning squad as we enter our third consecutive season in Europe, and continuing to develop the best young talent through our successful Academy.”

As for Declan Rice himself, he also released a statement to the fans, in which he recalled his memories of his time with the club’s academy, his promotion to the first team, and the Europa Conference League win.

Rice went on to thank “the board, coaches, staff, colleagues and friends who have always been there”, before naming many of the individuals who helped him along the way, and giving special mention to the West Ham fans.

Rice ended by explaining that he’s leaving the club because “it has only ever been about my ambition to play at the very highest level of the game”.

The Arsenal announcement followed not long after with Rice preferring to make his departing statement about the Hammers rather than his new home.