Wonderkid who was ‘better than Declan Rice’ at West Ham makes incredibly sad career announcement
West Ham Wonderkid Once Tipped to Surpass Declan Rice Makes Heartbreaking Career Decision
A former West Ham United prodigy once regarded as a brighter prospect than club legend Declan Rice has made a deeply emotional announcement about his future in football.
Two years ago, West Ham made history by becoming the first Premier League side to win the UEFA Conference League. The night was a milestone moment — but it also marked the end of an era, as it was Declan Rice’s final game before his high-profile move to Arsenal.
While Rice has gone on to achieve great success, he wasn’t always the standout name at West Ham’s academy. That title once belonged to Reece Oxford — a young English defender whose early promise had fans and pundits predicting a superstar career.
Unfortunately, that potential has been cut short by injury struggles that have ultimately forced Oxford to make a tough call about his future.
From Bright Beginnings to a Painful Exit
Oxford burst onto the scene at West Ham, making headlines with his composure and talent well beyond his years. In 2019, he joined Bundesliga side Augsburg — first on loan, then permanently in the summer. He made 69 appearances for the German club and looked set to revive his career abroad.
But repeated injury setbacks have kept him sidelined since 2022, and after two years without a competitive appearance, Oxford has now confirmed that he will leave Augsburg at the end of the season.
In a heartfelt farewell shared via the club’s official social media, Oxford expressed his gratitude:
“I just wanted to say a big thanks for the last six years. Obviously, you haven’t seen me for the last two years, but the times when I was playing, the fans were always great to me. They kept me going through hard times, even during the Covid period.
So yeah, big thanks, and hopefully I can come to a game as soon as next season and see you guys again. Thank you.”
“He Was the Star, Not Rice”
Oxford’s career is a stark reminder of football’s physical demands and how even the brightest stars can have their journeys derailed. His former West Ham teammate Lewis Page reflected on just how highly rated Oxford once was.
In a past interview with The Athletic, Page shared:
“I remember having a conversation with him after dinner. Declan [Rice] wasn’t even sure he was going to get a scholarship at West Ham.
Reece was the main talent at centre-back. I don’t think the club even knew if Declan was good enough to play in midfield. But West Ham took the chance, and it’s paid off.”
For Oxford, the dream hasn’t followed the expected path — but his early promise, professionalism, and resilience in the face of adversity have left a mark that goes far beyond appearances.
