Declan Rice’s outstanding performances for both Arsenal and West Ham have earned him the title of Player of the Year at the 2023/24 London Football Awards.
The England international led the Hammers to victory in the UEFA Europa Conference League in May, securing their first major trophy since 1980. Following this triumph, he completed a £100 million move to Arsenal.
The London Football Awards occurred on Thursday evening, with the Premier League Player of the Year award among the honors presented.
Declan Rice big night amongst his peers
Declan Rice has been crowned as London’s Premier League Player of the Year at the 2024 London Football Awards. This is the second time he’s won this award, having first received it in 2022 for his performances with West Ham.
Now playing for Arsenal, Rice took the prize again at Thursday’s event, taking over from last year’s winner and fellow Gunner, Martin Odegaard.
Arsenal official X handle, were in full recognition of Rice’s achievement.
Arsenal’s £105m summer signing Rice gave an emotional speech at The Roundhouse in Camden after picking up the top award in the men’s game.
‘Since I’ve walked through the doors [at Arsenal] I’ve loved every single moment of it,’ Rice said.
‘I was at West Ham for 10 years and it’s such a big change with the environment, life, a different manager and different friends, so my thinking was just to go there and be myself.
‘As time has gone on and the games have gone on I’ve tried to be confident and do the best I can for the team.
‘So far we’ve been going really well and hopefully we can have a good end to the season.
‘There have been so many good moments so far, but I think due to the stature of the game I would have to say the goal against Manchester United was the best.
‘It was my first goal for Arsenal – Alejandro Garnacho had one ruled out for offside five minutes before and then I took one down off my chin and put it in the back of the net so I was happy with that one. That was the best moment so far.’
Other nominees included William Saliba from Arsenal, Jarrod Bowen from West Ham, and Tottenham’s Guglielmo Vicario and Pedro Porro.
However, Arsenal’s manager Mikel Arteta missed out on the Manager of the Year award, which went to Tottenham’s coach Ange Postecoglou.
Tottenham also celebrated as their goalkeeper, Vicario, was named Goalkeeper of the Year. Crystal Palace’s Michael Olise won Goal of the Year for his fantastic strike against Luton.
Chelsea’s Cole Palmer was awarded Young Player of the Year, while his teammate Lauren James was named the capital’s WSL Player of the Year. Aggie Beever-Jones scooped up the Women’s Young Player of the Year award.
Finally, Charlton’s Alfie May was honoured as the EFL Player of the Year by the London Football Awards.
