Exciting striker 'expecting' to sign for Newcastle United after impressing Toon coaches
Following his recent trial on Tyneside, Jamaican striker Dujuan Richards is waiting by the phone to hear if he'll be signed by Newcastle United.
As revealed in a NUFC Blog exclusive last month, the 17-year-old spent two weeks at the club in February, training with our Under-21 side in hope of earning a professional contract within our Academy.
Richards hails from the Phoenix All Stars Academy that produced Aston Villa star Leon Bailey and arrived having bagged a stunning 31 goals and 19 assists last season.
The 6ft 4' talent - who is currently away with the Jamaican national side - has told The Chronicle that he's 'very pleased' with how his trial period went, feeling he showed our coaches what he was capable of and is 'expecting' positive news from the club.
"All I can say is I think did well and I was able to be seen by all the coaches. I am grateful for the opportunity and I believe it could be a good fit.
"I'm very pleased with how the trial went, and I believe my performance was impressive enough. I learned about their methods, their vision for the club and where they want 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."
The forward then revealed how proud he is to be considered by a club of Newcastle's pedigree, talking up two club legends and the exciting project on offer:
"I was elated because Newcastle are a huge club with great pedigree. I was proud that I had developed to become good enough to be considered by such a club at that level, and grateful to my coach and family for guiding my progress to attain this opportunity.
"I know Newcastle has been the club of great players in the past like Alan Shearer and Kevin Keegan, and I also know they have been building their way right back to the top of the Premier League. The Premier League is of the highest standard, and many players dream of playing there.
"I enjoyed the fans and the super support the team gets from them. I would love to be one of those blessed players to represent a Premier League club, and even more so one with such a high pedigree."
Asked how he'd describe himself as a player and person, the teenager then said:
"I know the fans don't know me so well yet, but if I could describe myself as a player it would have to start with who I am as a person.
"I don't speak a lot, I listen much much more. That's why they call me Whisper. I am 6ft 4', but I have strength and balance in an unusual way and can use both feet to dribble, shot and pass. I was a lanky slow kid, but today I'm one of the fastest players with a great change of pace.
"My speed, strength, movement and skills help me to be a finisher, provider and creator. I like the player I have become but I want to be remembered like a Zlatan, Harry Kane, or Alan Shearer.
"I want to keep improving my overall game as I'm strong in all areas, but if I want to be able to be remembered as one of the best I have to keep working harder every single day."
Richards then discussed the opportunity up for grabs at Newcastle, praising the warm welcome he received on Tyneside:
"What interested me most about the opportunity of Newcastle was that it would give me a platform to compete against the best in the world. It would be a place where it would be easier to adapt culturally, and what better place for me to show what I can do and to test myself against the best competition?"
"The city of Newcastle presents a totally different world to where I am from. I'm grateful my coach had the vision to send me a week early so I could spend time and to go and watch the game at St James' Park.
"Of course it is not Jamaica in terms of weather and water. Jamaica is paradise, but Newcastle is also very beautiful in its own way. It is a place where people can focus hard on their football careers, and the club administrators are very welcoming."
