Chelsea have confirmed the signing of former Newcastle United transfer target Dujuan 'Whisper' Richards. The Jamaica wonderkid was pictured at St James' Park for the home draw with West Ham in February, and enjoyed a two-week trial with the club's academy side.
Richards confirmed in an exclusive interview with ChronicleLive that he was 'expecting' to sign with Newcastle. However, the Phoenix All Stars Academy talent opted to agree a deal with Chelsea after the Premier League rivals made a move at the 11th hour, with co-director of recruitment and talent Joe Shields reportedly playing a huge role in convincing the striker to shun the Magpies.
The deal was initially announced via social media on March 11, with Richards' representative Craig Butler explaining 'more guarantees' and a willingness to work with the academy setup in Kingston, Jamaica, swung the deal to the Blues. Now, Chelsea have finally announced the signing with a statement on Saturday, with the striker set to join after celebrating his 18th birthday in October.
Richards made his senior international debut shortly after revealing his decision to join Chelsea, appearing as a substitute in the friendly defeat to Trinidad and Tobago. The teenager made his first start days later against the same opponents, and he has been selected by Jamaica for the upcoming Gold Cup.
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The promising striker joined the academy at the age of 11, and has faced English opposition at youth level while also featuring in Jamaican youth competition the Manning Cup last year. Richards will become the second Phoenix All Stars Academy graduate to grace the Premier League, following in the footsteps of Aston Villa star Leon Bailey.
Reflecting on the decision, Butler told ChronicleLive in March: "Dujuan was offered a contract and we are grateful for the opportunity from the club [Newcastle]. The staff and club in general were very accommodating and the environment was wonderful.
"In the end, Chelsea was able to provide more guarantees for the future of the player. Additionally, Chelsea presented a willingness to work with our academy and support us in terms of the exchange of coaches and football education.
"We deemed it to be paramount to our continuing to develop young top players like Leon Bailey and Dujuan. That willingness to share and provide coaching clinics and opportunities for our coaches to get badges was truly a huge decision-maker. We felt long term for Whisper and Phoenix this was best."
