England’s form at international tournaments has improved noticeably after Declan Rice’s arrival. The Arsenal midfielder, with his passing and imposing physique, has injected tremendous class into Southgate’s midfield. In the ongoing Euro 2024, the former West Ham star along with Jude Bellingham is expected to be the difference maker in the middle. But did you know that Rice had represented Ireland before donning the famous white jersey?

The most important people in Declan Rice’s growth as a soccer star have been his parents. But, little do people know their origin is from Ireland. Let’s dive deep into the personal background of England’s midfield maestro.

From Ireland to England: Meet Sean Rice and Teresa Rice

While Declan Rice proudly dons the Arsenal kit, his father Sean Rice is a Chelsea supporter. Although Sean was raised and born in England, he was the first in his family to do so. Declan’s grandparents were one of the many migrants to leave Ireland for England in the 1970s. His Irish heritage meant that Declan Rice represented Ireland at the youth level before switching allegiance in 2019.

Sean had a pivotal role in nurturing Declan’s passion for the game by taking him to the park for soccer practice. Moreover, Sean is also Declan’s current agent. His mother on the other hand has always been a source of support and encouragement for the midfielder.

Additionally, Declan Rice has two brothers- Conor and Jordan. He has credited his siblings for improving his skills on the pitch. But, equally influential in Declan’s life is another person.

The motivational story of Lauren Fryer: Declan Rice’s longtime girlfriend

From Declan Rice’s early career to worldwide recognition, his girlfriend Lauren Flyer has seen it all. The childhood sweethearts have been in an 8-year relationship and even welcomed a child in 2022. Although the couple prefers to keep their relationship private, they occasionally release snippets via social media.

However, one fine day, Laura decided enough was enough. She deleted all of her Instagram pictures of them. The reason was online abuse.

Lauren Flyer faced horrendous trolling on social media over her appearance. One troll even went as far as to say that Declan Rice had ‘low standards.’ Sadly, Lauren has had to experience both the highs and lows of being in a relationship with a celebrity. Regardless, the bond between the two continues to go strong.