The ‘superstitious’ reason behind Declan Rice wearing the number 41 has been revealed as he completes his transfer from West Ham to Arsenal in a record-breaking £105 million deal.

Despite joining a new club, Rice has decided to retain the shirt number that became synonymous with him during his time at West Ham. Arsenal has officially confirmed that the 24-year-old midfielder will continue wearing the No. 41 jersey, even though there were other numbers available.

While representing the England national team, Rice typically dons the number four shirt. However, his teammate Ben White already occupies that number at Arsenal. Consequently, Rice has opted to stick with the same number he has been wearing since his breakthrough in West Ham’s academy.

When asked about the reason behind his choice of number, Rice disclosed that there isn’t a particular significance attached to it. It was simply the number he was given during his time in the academy, and it has stayed with him ever since. However, he confessed that he has become somewhat superstitious about it and wouldn’t consider changing it now due to concerns about affecting his form.

During an interview with Gary Neville on The Overlap, Rice explained, “It was just the number I was given in the academy by the kitman. When you are in the Under-23s, there are the first-team squad numbers, and then it gets to the higher numbers, and I was given 41 when I went to Seattle on my first trip with the first team. I was just given 41, and it has stayed with me since.”

He further expressed his sentiment, saying, “And to be honest with you – I have been having these conversations with my dad – regardless of what happens in my career, I may stay with 41. I just think Rice 41 has a nice ring to it, and obviously, I have grown up playing in it, and I am a bit superstitious with things like that. I don’t know if I change to a new number if it will hamper my performances, I don’t know! Sometimes I think about things like that.”

Source: GraphicOnline