Topics: Arsenal, Arsenal Fan TV, Declan Rice, West Ham United, Transfers, Mikel Arteta
AFTV have released their own announcement video to celebrate the arrival of Declan Rice – and fans have reacted in their droves.
After months of speculation surrounding his future, it was finally confirmed on Saturday that the 24-year-old England international will join last season's Premier League runners-up on a long-term contract.
Rice, who has become the most expensive British player in history after joining for a reported £105 million, was officially announced as an Arsenal player at 1pm via their official YouTube channel.
From the club's training base at London Colney Mikel Arteta welcomed their latest addition, with the camera panning to Rice, who was sat at the back of the group alongside goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale.
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When asked if he had anything to say by his new manager, Rice said: "Yeah, I'll say a few words..."
You can watch the full clip below:
Soon after the video dropped on Arsenal's social media platforms, YouTube fan channel AFTV posted their own announcement featuring presenter Cecil Jee Thomas.
As you can see in the clip below, Thomas sings 'Rice, Rice, Baby' – a variation on Vanilla Ice's classic song from the '90's – as a group dance alongside him.
Fans were quick to react to the footage. One said: "Hearing Rice has already submitted a transfer request," while another commented: "You’d think they were signing prime Busquets or Rodri with all this."
A third added:: "Rice’s transfer should be cancelled merely because of this woeful video."
AFTV even commented on the video, saying: "We apologise in advance for the memes this will create".
Away from the social media clips, Mikel Arteta opened up about the club-record addition of Rice ahead of the new campaign.
“We’re really happy that Declan is joining us," he said. "He is a player with tremendous ability, who has been performing at a high level in the Premier League and for England for a number of seasons now.
"Declan is bringing undoubted quality to the club and he is an exceptional talent who has the potential to be very successful here.
Arteta added: "Declan has great experience in the Premier League at only 24 years old. He has captained a very good West Ham team and as we all saw, he recently lifted a European trophy.
"The responsibility and role he has taken on has been very impressive and we are really excited that he is joining us.”
Thoughts on the Rice deal? Let us know in the comments.
