The FAI have confirmed that West Ham's Declan Rice has won the Young Player Of the Year award ahead of the upcoming 29th '3' FAI International Awards which take place on Sunday, March 17.

The award was voted for by members of the SSE Airtricity Soccer Writers’ Association of Ireland.

Rice recently switched his international allegiance from the Republic of Ireland, who he represented underage and at senior level in three friendlies, to England. He described it as "an extremely difficult decision."

A statement from the FAI this afternoon confirmed the award "maintains the integrity of the voting process."


At the time of the vote, Declan Rice was an Ireland international and qualified for the Young Player category in a year that saw him win three senior caps, all in '3' International Friendly games. Declan Rice has since opted to switch his allegiance to England. The FAI has completed his international transfer via the FIFA protocols and wishes him well in the future. This award maintains the integrity of the voting process in conjunction with the Soccer Writers’ Association of Ireland and the FAI thanks the jury members for their decisions relating to the awards.

Rice will not be in attendance for the ceremony.

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