Richards snubbed Newcastle & was supplied an enormous contract in Middle East
CHELSEA have moved quick so as to add Jamaican wonderkid Dujuan Richards to their esteemed academy,
The lighting-quick ahead, 17, was confirmed to have a signed a contract with the Blues – who he’ll be a part of when he turns 18.
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Initially, it was Newcastle who thought they have been in pole place to signal the promising teenager.
After he impressed on trial in February, the Toon have been determined to push by a deal.
However, they have been crushed to the punch by their Premier League rivals – who’ve claimed the expertise’s signature.
Nonetheless, Richards’ future may have been determined earlier than his transfer to West London.
He revealed he snubbed an enormous contract from an unnamed Middle Eastern membership to pursue his dream of enjoying within the Premier League.
English ties
Richards has turned heads in his homeland and within the UK – enjoying for the Phoenix FC soccer academy.
He was groomed by Jamaican coach Craig Butler – the adoptive father of Aston Villa star Leon Bailey, who coaches on the Kingston-based membership.
For the previous 5 years his growth has identified no bounds, and final season he was significantly spectacular.
Some 31 targets and 19 assists confirmed he was a lower above the remaining.
Initially from Port Royal, his grandmother is English.
He earned the nickname Whisper amongst his friends and coaches.
“I don’t speak a lot, I listen much much more. That’s why they call me Whisper,” he revealed.
And the 6ft4in powerhouse additionally spent a while within the UK, the place he studied at Brooke Home Faculty in Leicestershire.
Their spectacular soccer academy performed in opposition to Aston Villa, Sheffield United and Crystal Palace, which gave the teen the chance to showcase his skills in opposition to English opposition.
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Newcastle thought they’d obtained him
Final month, Richards spent two weeks on trial at Newcastle United.
He was even invited to look at the Magpies play West Ham United at St James’ Park.
He believed he impressed.
He informed ChronicleLive: “All I can say is I believe did nicely and I used to be capable of be seen by all of the coaches. I’m grateful for the chance and I consider it could possibly be a great match.
“I am very happy with how the trial went, and I consider my efficiency was spectacular sufficient. I discovered about their strategies, their imaginative and prescient for the membership and the place they need to be.
“I know they are a very ambitious club and want to be playing in the Champions League. I am expecting to hear positively from the club.”
Nonetheless, it was Chelsea who’ve now swooped to signal Richards on a pre-contract settlement.
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Butler confirmed on Instagram: “We’re grateful to Chelsea Soccer Membership and stay up for the continued relationship and partnership with our academy as we put together Whisper for the Premier League.
“On a private notice, Chelsea FC was my boyhood dream membership and I am so happy to have one in every of my gamers constructed within the furnaces of the Phoenix at Stamford Bridge.
“Thank you to the staff at Chelsea, especially Joe Shields for believing me two years ago when I told him that I was building the top talent, Dujuan ‘Whisper’ Richards.”
He has rules
Richards was supplied an enormous sum of cash to signal for a membership from the Middle East.
However, in accordance with Butler, he turned it down for his dream transfer to the Premier League.
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Richards revealed: “Wow, that was a very troublesome scenario. I do not need to elaborate a lot, however Jamaica is my dwelling and my grandmother is English so I’ve a connection there too.
“Honestly I would never want to sell out my country. It was a huge sum of money, but it would be against my principles as a son of Jamaica and my career goals as a footballer.”