---
title: "Declan Rice signs professional contract with West Ham"
canonical: "https://readwestham.com/2016/06/29/declan-rice-signs-professional-contract-west-ham/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Thomas Bore"
section: "West Ham News"
published: "2016-06-29T18:28:39Z"
modified: "2016-06-29T18:29:09Z"
---

# Declan Rice signs professional contract with West Ham

Highly-rated defender Declan Rice has signed his first professional contract with West Ham.

> Twitter: Big day for @Deccers\_8 after he signs his first professional contract ➡️ [https://t.co/87wi6Shvnq](https://t.co/87wi6Shvnq) ⚒ #WHUFC [https://t.co/TKyhx0qc1f](https://t.co/TKyhx0qc1f) (@whufc\_official)

Rice progressed through the ranks into the Development Squad last season and was one of the Academy’s star performers, helping the under-21 side to win the U21 Premier League Cup.

The 17-year-old put pen-to-paper on a three-year deal. Upon signing his new deal, Rice told the [Club’s official website](https://www.whufc.com/News/Articles/2016/June/29-June/Rice-signs-new-contract) he is delighted to be a part of West Ham’s future and hopes to emulate the success of fellow academy graduate Reece Oxford.

“It is an amazing feeling to sign a three-year deal with West Ham and it is exciting to be part of the Club as we move into the new Stadium,” Rice said.

> I have gone from a scholarship to signing a professional contract and it has all happened within the space of six months as I was playing so well.

“With the players that West Ham are now attracting, it is amazing to train with the first-team and hopefully I can be a part of it next season.

> I am so happy that Reece and Josh Cullen have broken into the first-team. Hopefully I can follow in their footsteps and impress Slaven Bilic during the pre-season.

“Slaven and his backroom staff give so much advice to the younger players and help them out a great deal and I love the chance to train with the first-team.”