Striker en-route to Newcastle as president confirms player is about to arrive in England for trial

Newcastle United are expected to take striker Dujuan Richards on a two-week trial, according to reports coming out of Jamaica.

Richards, frequently referred to as ‘Whisper’, currently plays for Kingston College and Phoenix Academy in his native Jamaica – where he recently starred in the Manning Cup, a local schoolboy tournament.

As a result of his performances for Kingston College, scoring 29 and assisting 19 in the Manning Cup, Whisper received an invite to join a training session with the Jamaican national team from head coach Heimir Hallgrinsson.

After the Jamaica Observer revealed a trial period, it’s quite telling that Craig Butler – the founder and president of the Phoenix Academy – has confirmed the player is on his way to England for a trial:

“He [Richards] is going to England to do a trial with a club there and we are looking forward to seeing him perform at that level and to make his path,” said Butler. “He is a very talented young player and a very powerful young player and a very dedicated young player.

“I believe that it is now the right time to make the move to go and show what he can do so that when it is time for him to sign, he would have been well-known and well appreciated by the clubs in England and mainland Europe.

“It is one of the top five clubs in the English Premier League at the moment, but this is not something that is new to Phoenix.’

Since the takeover, and appointment of Dan Ashworth, Newcastle has shown a great interest in growing from the bottom. We have already shown a great worldwide scouting network with the arrival of Garang Kuol, and Whisper would be the next in line.

The 17-year-old’s popularity is easily showcased by his 22,000 followers on Instagram, and it’s clear to see why. Here’s a few clips of him in action: