Declan Rice has signed declared for England. Image: BBCIt's not you...it's me.
We all knew it was coming...but it still doesn't make this break up any easier to take.
Declan Rice has confirmed this afternoon that he will declare for the England National Football Team.
Thus, turning his back on the green of Ireland...
The 20-year-old West Ham midfielder broke the news in a lengthy twitter post this afternoon.
— Declan Rice (@_DeclanRice) February 13, 2019
The player says he rang both Mick McCarthy and Gareth Southgate to inform both managers of his decision.
Rice won three Republic of Ireland caps, but as all of them were in friendlies he was still free to declare for England, the country of his birth.
He said it was a difficult decision to make, and that his pride in wearing the Ireland shirt was 100 per cent genuine.
We wont say we aren't hurt Declan! But we'll take this break up with dignity and hold our heads high.
We'll see ya round.
