Declan Rice has revealed that making a major change to his diet is the secret to his success on the pitch.

The midfielder joined Arsenal for a club-record £105m fee last summer, but lived up to his price-tag in his first season as he starred in the Gunners' title push before they had to settle for second place behind Manchester City.

Rice has transformed his game after previously being pigeon-holed as a holding midfielder, with the 25-year-old now driving forwards with the ball to register 16 goal contributions in 2023-24, and he believes his new diet - which includes a surprising key ingredient - has aided his development.

'I have four pancakes before a game. Covered in syrup or honey,' he revealed in an interview for Men's Health UK.

'I swear to God, it’s the best thing… When I joined the club, I could see the [Arsenal] players eating them and thought to myself, ‘What is going on here?’ But honestly, it’s been a game changer.

Declan Rice opened up on his new 'game-changing' diet in an interview with Men's Health UK

'I don’t understand the science behind it, what’s in them or anything like that, but it gives me such a high energy boost.

'I think that’s why I’m able to rattle around the pitch so much...If we’re playing at 5.30pm, I’ll sometimes have eight pancakes in a day.

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'I’ll have some at breakfast and I’ll have some more at 3.30pm before we play.'

Eight pancakes a day may shock some fans, but it has certainly worked for Rice in his first year at the Emirates.

He proved to be one of the signings of the season, adding goals and assists to his game, as he became one of the first names on Mikel Arteta's teamsheet.

Rice is now regarded as one of the world's best footballers, particularly in the middle of the pitch, with the Englishman challenging Rodri to be the Premier League's best midfield general. 

Having earned his 50th international cap in March, Rice looks set for a key role for England at Euro 2024 this summer.

Playing alongside the likes of Harry Kane, Jude Bellingham and the Premier League player of the season Phil Foden, Rice will be aiming to end England's 58-year wait for tournament glory.

And his new diet could help him go the extra mile as Gareth Southgate's side bid to go all the way, three years on from the heartbreak of losing the last Euros final on penalties to Italy.

The Three Lions will kickstart their campaign against Serbia on June 16, before facing Denmark four days later and Slovenia on June 25.