Declan Rice sends message to cousin as he secures big January move

Declan Rice’s cousin is joining a Premier League promotion push (Picture: Getty Images)

Declan Rice is not the only footballer in his family, with cousin Finley Munroe securing a big January move on Thursday.

20-year-old Munroe started his career in the Chelsea academy, just as Rice did, before leaving London for Aston Villa in 2021.

He made two appearances for the Villains, with his debut in the UEFA Conference League semi-final at Olympiacos, while he also made an outing in the Premier League.

Munroe spent last season on loan in Spain with Real Union and then the first half of this campaign with League Two Swindon Town where he has been impressive.

Championship promotion challengers Middlesbrough clearly liked what they saw and have snapped him up from Aston Villa for a fee, reportedly around £300,000.

On Munroe’s Instagram post celebrating his move to the Riverside Stadium, his England international cousin commented: ‘Go time cuz! Proud of you!’

Rice wasn’t the only big name to chime in, with Chelsea legend John Terry adding: ‘Good Luck mate 👊🏻❤️’

Fin Munroe made two senior appearances for Aston Villa (Picture: Getty Images)

On his move north to Middlesbrough, the talented full-back said: ‘I’m really happy to be here. It’s a proud moment for me and my family and I can’t wait to get started.

‘The size of the club speaks for itself. It’s a huge club with aspirations of getting back into the Premier League and that attracted me, as did the fanbase and everything about it. I’m excited to get going.’

On having a cousin who is classed among the best in the world, he said: ‘In all fairness I think watching him is really good for me just to see what he’s capable of, then I can know what I’m capable of.

‘I don’t speak to him too much about it, but I just ride the journey by myself.’

Munroe was full of praise for Swindon Town and their manager, the former QPR, Blackpool, Crystal Palace, Leicester City and others boss Ian Holloway.

‘It’s a great club, I can’t speak highly enough about it,’ he said. ‘I loved all my time there and I wish them nothing but the best, I hope they get promotion this season.

‘He’s a great guy and I will respect him for the rest of my life.’

Munroe leaves Swindon second in League Two (Picture: Getty Images)

The new Boro man also hailed the education he received at Chelsea, believing it is the ideal place to start as a youngster.

‘I was there from Under-9s all the way to Under-16s, I think as a person wanting to be a footballer there’s no better place to grow up and get taught,’ he said.

‘So I think for me that was the best start of my career, then moving to Villa really helped.’

Munroe joins Kim Hellberg’s side, which sits second in the Championship table after 26 games, six points behind leaders Coventry City.

It is a packed race for the play-off spots at this stage, with just six points separating Boro and ninth-place Wrexham.

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