Newcastle United have missed out on signing Dujuan Richards after the striker instead chose to secure a move to Chelsea.
Jamaican wonderkid Richards has been an interesting name when it comes to Newcastle transfers.
The Jamaica Observer reported in January that Richards was heading for a two-week trial with the Magpies.
However, Newcastle’s Under-21 boss Ben Dawson told The Chronicle that he hadn’t been told of Richards or anybody else coming in for training.
That left fans wondering whether links to Richards were a load of nonsense.
Yet Richards told The Chronicle just a few days ago that he was expecting to hear positive news about a contract at Newcastle having confirmed he had been on trial.
Sadly for Eddie Howe and co, Richards has pulled a shock U-turn and ended up joining another Premier League club at the last minute.
Newcastle United trialist Dujuan Richards joins Chelsea
On Saturday night, Richards’ agent Craig Butler took to Instagram to share news of the striker’s big move.
Butler confirmed that Richards has chosen to sign for Chelsea, striking a pre-contract agreement with the Blues.
Butler claims that Chelsea put in the ‘best offer’ and the ‘best opportunities’ for Richards moving forward, effectively gazumping Newcastle.
Richards is still only 17 and won’t be able to join up with Chelsea until he turns 18 in November.
Currently with the Phoenix All Stars Academy in Jamaica – the same academy that brought through Aston Villa winger Leon Bailey – Richards is considered to be a hugely exciting prospect over in Jamaica.
Kingston College coach Raymond Watson has hailed Richards as a ‘special’ talent and believes he could be ‘unstoppable’ in the future.
Newcastle seemingly wanted to bring Richards to St James’ Park and tap into that potential, but they have been hijacked by Chelsea in a shock turn of events.
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