Declan Rice has earned “legend" status at West Ham - and will get one of the best receptions any former player has ever received from Hammers fans.
That's the view of ex-West Ham star Dean Ashton, who says Rice's move to rivals Arsenal “couldn't have worked out any better for everyone involved."
Speaking to Champions UK plc, Ashton said: “The fact that Rice captained the team and lifted a European trophy means he will be a legend.
“I know David Moyes asked him for another year last year, and he was more than happy to be at the club. You never had the feeling that he didn't want to be there. But you also get that he is an ambitious young man who wants to win things and test himself at the highest level. He has been fortunate to be in that position where it has worked out perfectly for him. I think he'll get one of the best receptions any former player has received."
But as West Ham now prepare for life after Rice, Ashton has told how he thinks the club's European success will help them go from strength-to-strength.
He said: “I was lucky enough to be there for the final as I was working in Prague. You could sense how big it was. I knew as a player how big West Ham was. You could sense it everywhere you went in the world and again, I got that feeling in the Summer, building up to the final, about just how much it meant for that club to win something.
“It was so refreshing to watch them win it in a dramatic way. I hope it now elevates them and makes other players look at the club and say, 'yeah I want to play for that club'."
Meanwhile, Ashton has also added his view on the growth of the game in Saudi.
Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson is expected to become the latest high-profile player to join the exodus signing for clubs in the region.
And Ashton - forced to retire aged just 26 through injury - said: “It feels like there are some younger players who should achieve things in the game that are effectively going for the money. Now players have always done that right through the decades right from the Italian league to Spain and even the Premier league. The money will always sway players as things can change in an instant - as I know.
“But from a selfish point-of-view, I think if it starts to dilute the English league and the European league that is when it will worry me. We want our football pyramid to be as strong as possible. But it looks like it's here to stay.
“It's not just football, is it? But I guess it's down to us to get on board with it and see how it goes.
“We're not going to know for a while as it's going to take many, many years to see if it will stay and if players continue to go there."
Ashton spoke out in an interview with Champions UK ahead of taking part in the Farmfoods British Par 3 next month. He is among a string of retired pros - including Alan McInally, Paul Dickov and Don Goodman - who will be competing in the tournament at Nailcote Hall near Coventry.
Looking ahead to the event he said: “It's funny because as an ex-sportsman, I am naturally ridiculously competitive so I'm annoyed with myself if I don't play well and compete, I try and win the amateur event even though it would be difficult for me to win it with my handicap but still, I want to win it. I'll be trying to win for sure and I always try to go for the highest-finishing footballer. I think I got that last year.“
To apply for free tickets, visit www.britishpar3.com
