Declan Rice reveals hilarious story about Latvian ‘King Kong’ – as England star looks forward to emotional reunion with former team-mate

Declan Rice has revealed a hilarious story about Latvia goalkeeper Rihards Matrevics. 

England will continue their World Cup qualifying campaign on Monday when they take on the European minnows at Wembley. 

Rice will reunite with Matrevics, nicknamed ‘King Kong’, having played alongside the shot stopper at West Ham‘s academy. 

And the Arsenal midfielder told a story of when the giant 6ft7 goalkeeper blew away his team-mates.  

‘If he starts tomorrow, you’ll see he’s about 7ft 5! He’s so tall. Honestly, I’m not lying, he’s so, so tall,’ Rice said. 

‘I remember him when he came to West Ham, it was like, “Wow, this guy’s a beast”. And he couldn’t speak much English at the time, but by the end, it was unbelievable.

The Three Lions star will reunite with Matrevics having played alongside him at West Ham

The giant 6ft7 shot stopper spent three years with the Hammers and now plays in Latvia

‘We had a lot of free time and we’d go out for some food and go to Nando’s in Romford, because we stayed in Essex, and he’d have to duck down to get underneath the door.

‘He was such a good guy. I’m really looking forward to seeing him tomorrow because it’s been a long time.’

Matrevics left West Ham to join Barnet in 2018 without having made a first team appearance for the Hammers. 

He then moved into non league with Hendon and St Albans City before returning to his native Latvia in 2021.