Declan Rice is now the captain of West Ham United following the retirement of Mark Noble.

The Academy graduate and England international has been promoted from vice-captain, a role he has excelled in in recent seasons.

Rice also has experience leading the team having taken the armband for the vast majority of the past 2 campaigns, with many players within the squad previously praising his leadership qualities.

ExWHUemployee has exclusively confirmed that Rice will take the armband on a permanent basis with Aaron Cresswell looking likely to be promoted to vice-captain.

“It’s a move that has been widely expected and its fully deserved,” Ex told thewesthamway.com.

“Its great to see Declan now our club captain, the perfect replacement for Mark Noble.”

Rice returned to work yesterday with our other international players, with pre-season now in full swing. The players will be spilt today as we face 2 pre-season matches against Boreham Wood and Ipswich Town respectively.

The club are also busy in the transfer market ahead of the new campaign, with Ex confirming that that West Ham are to ramp up our pursuit of Chelsea forward Armando Broja this week.

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