Declan Rice set to stick with the number 41 shirt regardless of Man City or Arsenal move
Declan Rice is set to keep hold of the number 41 shirt no matter which club he signs for this summer.
The West Ham star will leave the east London outfit ahead of next season after almost a decade at the club.
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Premier League champions Manchester City and runners-up Arsenal are both fighting for his signature this summer, with both sides so far seeing bids rejected.
A move to either club will see him take his game to the next level, with Champions League football on offer for the first time in his career.
Many players tend to switch from old numbers to new ones when they complete transfers.
However, Rice is keen to maintain his own personal tradition and stick with the no.41 shirt he was given as a youngster at his next club.
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Gary Neville asked the England international on The Overlap about why he has played with such a number on his back, and he replied: "It was just a number I was given in the academy by the kitman Jamo.
"So when you're in the U23s, you've obviously got the first-team squad numbers and then it starts to get to the higher numbers when you're in the U23s.
"I was given 41, I remember when I went to Seattle on my first trip with the first-team, I just got given 41 and you know what, it's stayed with me since.
"To be honest with you, I've been having this conversation with my Dad, regardless of what happens in my career, I think I might stay with the 41."
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When asked if he would change or not, he answered: "I don't know, I just think Rice 41 has a nice ring to it, obviously I've grown up playing in it.
"I'm a bit superstitious with things like that, I don't know if I change to a new number it would hamper my performances, I don't know I just think sometimes about a couple things like that."
Both City and Arsenal currently have no one with the number 41 shirts, so Rice is set to fit in wherever he goes.
Even though his next move is yet to be revealed, the 24-year-old is likely to continue to shine on the big stage.
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