ZURICH: West Ham midfielder Declan Rice is free to play for England after world governing body FIFA confirmed his switch from Ireland. “FIFA can now confirm that the change of association of Declan Rice from the Republic of Ireland to England has been approved,” said a spokesman for the world governing body. However, speculation over his long-term international future mounted after he became a West Ham regular under Manuel Pellegrini this season. In completing the switch, Rice follows in the footsteps of Aston Villa midfielder Jack Grealish, who made the same move to England in 2016. England manager Gareth Southgate names his squad for this month’s Euro 2020 qualifiers against the Czech Republic and Montenegro next week.

Source: Pakistan Today March 05, 2019 16:09 UTC