Chelsea look to have completed another pre-contract summer transfer with Dujuan 'Whisper' Richards set to join the club at the start of the 2023/23 season. The move is yet to be officially confirmed by the Blues, but Craig Butler, who runs the Phoenix FC football academy, has revealed Richards has signed a pre-contract agreement with the club.
The 17-year-old has spent the last five years with Phoenix before getting a call up to the Jamaica senior team for a game against Trinidad and Tobago this month. The player had a two-week trial at Newcastle United in February and had also been linked with a move to Aston Villa.
Richards joining the club continues the Todd Boehly trend of bringing wonderkids to west London. Previously unknown stars such as Gabriel Slonina, Andrey Santos and Cesare Casadei have already signed for the Blues in recent windows with Ecuadorian gem Kendry Paez also expected to join the Blues soon.
READ MORE: Todd Boehly summer transfer priorities revealed as Chelsea and Arsenal consider Palmeiras star
Following the signing of his Chelsea contract, Richards posted to Instagram explaining what the move meant to him and his family. The image on his social media shows the teenager officially putting pen to paper on a Chelsea contract.
The caption read: "What a dream come true. When I am 18 years old I will be able to play in the Premier League and for a club like Chelsea football club. Champions league winners and with such a high pedigree that I'm still so grateful to God for this opportunity to challenge other great talents on the colosseum of football.
"I would like to thank my coach and manager Craig Butler first for seeing the potential in me and then working on my weaknesses and building me to the level I am now. His guidance and perseverance has resulted in my getting this opportunity and signing this contract. I shudder to think what could have happened if I listened to others and not to Craig Butler.
"I am also grateful to the Phoenix all stars football academy for its investment in all the youths. Providing a place where even if you can't pay no one is left behind. I'm a product of that type of support. My mother and family. What can I say you have been a rock and a fortress to me always seeking what is best for me and sacrificing yourself for me. Mom I love you and I am going to make you proud."
Richards goes on to send his thanks to the Jamaica Prime Minister Andrew Holness along with Kingston College & ISSA. This deal further highlights the want of Clearlake Capital and Boehly to sign the next generation of stars with Richards making waves in Jamaica when he bagged 31 goals and registered 19 assists for Phoenix last season.
He is familiar with his new home, too, having played against Aston Villa, Sheffield United and Crystal Palace in academy games while he has also been on the books of Brooke House College in Leicestershire.
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