West Ham midfielder Declan Rice admits he was grateful to have options after being dumped by Chelsea at 14 years of age.
Rice has gone on to star for West Ham after coming through their academy, but it followed his release from Chelsea in 2014 after spending eight years – from 2006 – with the west London club.
"I had to overcome a massive disappointment of being released by Chelsea at the age of 14," Rice told Sky Sports' Soccer AM.
"That was everything I ever knew to be honest. From nine to 14, training there Monday to Friday, playing games and to get told you won't be a part of that anymore was a major shock. I never thought it would have to happen but it did.
"And then I had the fortunate chance to sign for either Fulham or West Ham and chose West Ham and started a whole new chapter.
"I knew it was going to be tough, but always as a kid I wanted to be a professional footballer. Nothing was ever going to get in the way of me working as hard as possible to become that.
"I was just so driven and wanted to be the best I could be. I had to make sacrifices, move away from home, move into new digs, and now all the decisions that I made have played out really well."
