A young football fan was left speechless after England star Declan Rice gave him a surprise birthday treat.

Lifelong West Ham supporter Harry Smith, from Borstal Hill in Whitstable, thought he was being interviewed by the club's social media team about what he was doing in lockdown to celebrate turning eight on Tuesday.

Video courtesy of West Ham Football Club

But his dad, Neil, had surreptitiously managed to organise a chat with his son's favourite player.

"Harry was told that the West Ham social media team were going to ask him a few questions about what he was doing in lockdown on his birthday," Neil explained.

"But then she said, 'I've got someone else who'd like to wish you a happy birthday'."

In footage shared by the club's Twitter account, Harry, a pupil at Hernhill Primary School in Faversham, put his hands over his face in disbelief when he saw Rice pop up on the screen.

With a beaming smile across his face, he told the midfielder what he received for his birthday and asked him for footballing advice.

Harry also showed the 21-year-old his Hernhill Herons FC kit, which bears the same number that West Ham legend Bobby Moore had on the back of his shirt.

"We were talking to him for about 30 minutes," Neil continued.

"We talked about what Declan's been up to, his training, his toughest match, who his favourite players were and different bits and pieces.

"It was amazing the time he had for Harry - he was in no rush."

Rice promised to send a signed shirt and a set of free tickets to the ecstatic youngster.

The surprise call came after Harry's birthday party and a trip to the London Stadium to see the Irons face Watford were cancelled as a result of coronavirus.

Neil, 36, says his son is still "blown away" by the experience.

He added: "He's been a West Ham since he was born.

"After the phone call he gave me a massive hug. He kept ringing people up and telling them about it all."

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