Declan Rice is the cousin of Middlesbrough new boy Finley Munroe
16:57, 15 Jan 2026
Declan Rice believes that Arsenal can go all the way this season.
Declan Rice believes that Arsenal can go all the way this season.(Image: 2026 The Arsenal Football Club Plc)
Declan Rice sent a six-word message to Finley Munroe after the young defender completed his move to Middlesbrough.
Munroe joined Boro on a four-and-a-half-year deal after a £300,000 fee was agreed with Aston Villa. His season-long spell at Swindon Town was cut short to allow the move to be completed.
Munroe has impressed at Swindon this season and now makes the switch to Boro, stepping up to play Championship football as Boro senses an opportunity to take a player they believe has bags of potential.
Although a product of the Aston Villa academy, he moved to the Midlands aged 16, after being released by Chelsea. If you’re wondering why Arsenal and England star Rice was posting publicly about the move, that’s because Rice is the cousin of the new Boro man.
Replying to an Instagram post in which Munroe said he was ‘Delighted to sign for this huge club’, Rice replied with a post on his stories. In it, he wrote: “Go time cuz! Proud of you!”
Munroe will travel with the rest of the Boro squad to the Midlands on Friday where he will be available to make his debut in the clash with West Brom.
Only 20, he does not need to be registered in the EFL squad for the rest of this month and therefore adds important cover at the back, with Boro struggling with injuries throughout the season at the back.
In 27 appearances for Swindon in the first half of the season, he managed two goals and nine assists, with Boro feeling he can go straight into their first-team picture, but feeling he’s a player with a lot of growth potential too.
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