Dujuan Richards

Dujuan “Whisper” Richards (born 11 October 2005) is a Jamaican footballer who plays as a forward for Chelsea.

Dujuan Richards
Personal information
Date of birth (2005-10-11) 11 October 2005
Place of birth Port Royal, Jamaica
Height 1.94 m (6 ft 4 in)
Position(s) Forward
Youth career
2018–2023 Phoenix Academy
2023– Chelsea
International career‡
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2023– Jamaica 2 (0)
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 12 March 2023

Early life

Richards was born in Port Royal.[1]

Club career

Richards started his career with the Phoenix Football Academy in his native Jamaica, joining at the age of twelve.[2] He also represented the Kingston College in Jamaica, and spent time with the Brooke House College’s football academy in Leicestershire, England.[3][4]

Following impressive performances with the Kingston College, scoring thirty-one goals and providing nineteen assists in the Manning Cup, he was invited to trial with English Premier League side Newcastle United in February 2023.[5] After a successful two-week trial, and having rejected an offer from an unnamed Middle Eastern club, Richards was quoted as saying he was "expecting to hear positively” from the Magpies.[4]

Despite the interest from both parties, fellow Premier League side Chelsea also made Richards an offer, and he reportedly signed a pre-contract deal with the club in March 2023.[2][6]

International career

Richards' grandmother is English, making him eligible to represent England at international level.[4]

Richards was called up to the senior national team for a friendly game against Trinidad and Tobago, with manager Heimir Hallgrímsson stating that he was "ready" to represent the nation, despite his young age.[7] He went on to make his debut in the 1–0 loss.[8]

Personal life

Richards hails from a sporting family, with uncle Nick playing basketball professionally in the NBA for the Charlotte Hornets. His father, Odile, also played basketball in Jamaica, while another uncle, O'Neil, represented the nation in cricket.[9]

Career statistics

International
As of match played 14 March 2023.
National teamYearAppsGoals
Jamaica 202320
Total20

References
  1. Cusack, Richard (12 March 2023). "Who is Dujuan Richards? Chelsea seal 'pre-contract' transfer for Jamaican goal machine". football.london. Retrieved 12 March 2023.
  2. Knight, Chris (11 March 2023). "Chelsea steal wonderkid who 'expected' to be Newcastle's next signing after transfer u-turn". chroniclelive.co.uk. Retrieved 12 March 2023.
  3. "'Whisper' wins senior call-up after stellar schoolboy football campaign". jamaicaobserver.com. 17 January 2023. Retrieved 12 March 2023.
  4. Knight, Chris (9 March 2023). "Meet the exciting striker 'expecting' to be Newcastle's next signing and holds Alan Shearer ambition". chroniclelive.co.uk. Retrieved 12 March 2023.
  5. Knight, Chris (16 February 2023). "The inside story of Newcastle trialist who snubbed lucrative transfer for shot at Magpies dream". chroniclelive.co.uk. Retrieved 12 March 2023.
  6. Flood, George (11 March 2023). "Chelsea sign Jamaican striker Dujuan 'Whisper' Richards as transfer drive continues". standard.co.uk. Retrieved 12 March 2023.
  7. Reid, Paul (11 March 2023). "'HE'S READY'". jamaicaobserver.com. Retrieved 12 March 2023.
  8. Reid, Paul (11 March 2023). "T&T edge Reggae Boyz 1-0 in friendly international". jamaicaobserver.com. Retrieved 12 March 2023.
  9. Kinsella, Nizaar (14 March 2023). "Who is Dujuan 'Whisper' Richards? Chelsea pip Newcastle to signing of 31-goal striker in latest youth drive". standard.co.uk. Retrieved 15 March 2023.
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