England great Wayne Rooney believes Declan Rice will prove a “huge player” and key leader for title-chasing Arsenal. The 24-year-old midfielder completed his £105million switch from West Ham to the Emirates Stadium at the weekend, signing a long-term deal with the north London club. Rice immediately jetted off with his new team-mates to Washington DC, where Arsenal kick-off their US pre-season tour against the Major League Soccer All-Stars. DC United boss Rooney is managing the hosts and believes Mikel Arteta’s men have secured a vital figure as they look to win the Premier League. “I think could be the one who could… well, he has to be the leader now, really, I think of that Arsenal team,” he told the PA news agency. “I saw Frank Lampard saying he felt Declan could be the Chelsea captain for the next 10 years if he went there. “I think he can do that (for Arsenal) and he seems to have that character and I believe he will be a huge player for Arsenal.” Rooney knows a thing or two about expectation after big-money moves but flourished rather than wilted after joining Manchester United from Everton in 2004. The 37-year-old expects the same from Rice and fellow England midfielder Jude Bellingham, who last month completed his move to Real Madrid for an initial £88.5m rising to a possible £115m. Asked how much he would gone for in an era of eye-watering transfer fees, Rooney said with a laugh: “It’s crazy, isn’t it? Yes, it’s mad. “The money players are getting sold for now is crazy and I suppose that’s where the value is nowadays. “I think someday it’s got to just crash because it can’t keep going that way but that is what the value is and good luck to the two of them. “They are obviously two different type of players. Bellingham is very good athletically, a box-to-box midfielder, more attacking. “Declan Rice is a powerful lad when he drives with the ball and also defensively and tactically he is very aware. “I think they are two different players but both with a huge future. The moves for the two of them are probably the right ones for them.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Jamie Smith century puts Surrey in control against Middlesex Stuart Broad reveals addiction to Test cricket after taking 600th wicket Inter Milan sign Juan Cuadrado on one-year deal

A sleepy Bavarian village could decide the future of BMW's drive towards electromobility as it goes to the polls on Sunday over the German automobile giant's plans...

The Oklahoma City Thunder spent last season knocking on the door to contention. Consider Chet Holmgren the battering ram. He's ranked No. 23 on our list of the best young players in the NBA.

If you're looking to binge The Gilded Age or do a Thanksgiving rewatch of The

New York Red Bulls have signed Dylan Nealis to a new contract.

Logan Paul and KSI have been on the receiving end of Dillon Danis's trolling

The French Foreign Ministry says France is planning an imminent evacuation of people seeking to leave Niger after the coup last week in the former French colony

Some African leaders have arrived in Russia for a summit with President Vladimir Putin as the Kremlin seeks more allies amid the fighting in Ukraine

By Devayani Sathyan BENGALURU Thailand's economy likely grew 3.1% in the April-June quarter from a year ago, up

NASHVILLE, Tenn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug 29, 2023--

After the successful debut of Britney's memoir, rumors about a potential screen adaptation of 'The Woman in Me' have surfaced

Barcelona defender Jules Kounde and Real Madrid midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni have worked with a leading neuroscientist this summer in hope of improving their mental abilities. The duo visited Ash Parker while away in the United States this summer.