Rice looking to follow Noble example at Hammers

Teenage centre-back Declan Rice is hoping to follow in the footsteps of Mark Noble at West Ham after being named the club’s Young Hammer of the Year.

Just 18-years-old, Rice helped West Ham U23s to promotion from Premier League 2 before making his full debut for the club in the final game of the season against Burnley.

And with club captain Noble another to have claimed the Young Hammer award in the past, Rice has an obvious example to follow.

(Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images)

“The award just topped off the season perfectly for me, to be honest,” said Rice, who trained with the Ireland senior squad ahead of their June internationals.

“Then, to go on and make my debut afterwards was even better. I never thought I would win that award.

“Some big names have won the award before, like Nobes earlier in his career. The guys who have won it in the past have gone on to have good careers, too, and Nobes has played 400 games for the club.

“Hopefully I can make my mark in a similar way to him. I have always wanted my career to be here since joining from Chelsea. My heart has been with West Ham every day since then, and that feeling is always growing.”