Dujuan “Whisper” Richards Signs with Chelsea FC – Watch Video
In a historic signing for the Jamaica-based Phoenix Football Academy, standout Phoenix member Dujuan “Whisper” Richards has signed a pre-contract with England-based football club Chelsea FC.
The announcement comes after mounting rumours that Richards was preparing to sign with a top English Premier League football club, with the Jamaica Observer quoting insider sources and Phoenix Football Academy president Craig Buttler saying the 17-year-old would be heading to Europe. Buttler cried shame on the Observer, denying any such confirmation but was seemingly waiting for a special occasion as the Pheonix boss made the announcement just hours before Richards’ debut on the national team.
Buttler shared the news via a video announcement on his Instagram page on Saturday. Buttler, joined by Richards and his mother Shericka, said that Chelsea was chosen after careful consideration of the offers that were made to Richards and that the club offered the best opportunities for the young footballer. Richards recently travelled to Europe for a two-week trial with Newcastle United, and the footballer was reportedly close to signing a deal with the Premier League outfit. Chelsea’s co-director of recruitment and talent, Joe Shields, was reportedly crucial in the negotiations.
Buttler extended his thanks to the Phoenix Academy’s supporters in the video’s caption and thanked Richards for his loyalty and undying faith in him as well as the academy. The football coach also thanked Shields for believing in him.
“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,” Buttler stated.
Richards, who has been with the Phoenix Academy since he was 12 years old, expressed that it was a great feeling to be signing with such a historic club with a good background. The Kingston College forward excelled during the schoolboy football season and scored more than 30 goals while registering 19 assists for Kingston College.
Richards is set to make his Reggae Boyz debut when the national team faces off with Trinidad and Tobago on Saturday evening. When the 17-year-old makes his Premier League debut with Chelsea, he will be joining fellow Reggae Boy and Chelsea midfielder Omari Hutchinson as well as Jamaican-born English footballer Raheem Sterling.
Watch the video below.
