Agent of Aston Villa star confirms trial for striker - believed to be Newcastle United

The Jamaican forward is reportedly set to trial at Newcastle United.
Jordan Cronin
By Jordan Cronin
Published 23rd Jan 2023, 23:26 BST
Updated 24th Jan 2023, 08:03 BST
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Newcastle United are set to take teenage forward Dujuan Richards on a two-week trial. According to the Jamaica Observer, the 17-year-old is flying to Tyneside this week after obtaining a UK visa.

Richards, nicknamed “Whisper”, plays for Kingston College, where he has netted more than 30 goals and provided 19 assists. His breakout form recently led to a Jamaica training squad call-up.

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Craig Butler, founder and president of the Phoenix Academy that has played a major part in Richards’ development, confirmed he was set to trial with a club currently in the top five of the Premier League table.

NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 19: A general view of the LED Screen, displaying the emblem of Newcastle United, on the inside of the stadium prior to kick off of the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Everton FC at St. James Park on October 19, 2022 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by George Wood/Getty Images)NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 19: A general view of the LED Screen, displaying the emblem of Newcastle United, on the inside of the stadium prior to kick off of the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Everton FC at St. James Park on October 19, 2022 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by George Wood/Getty Images)
NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 19: A general view of the LED Screen, displaying the emblem of Newcastle United, on the inside of the stadium prior to kick off of the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Everton FC at St. James Park on October 19, 2022 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by George Wood/Getty Images)

“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,” Butler added.

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“It is something that we have gone through before. We all know that the Phoenix players have been developed the proper way, good technique, good development and Whisper (Dujuan Richards) is one of those that are at the highest level.”

Butler is the agent and step-dad of Aston Villa star Leon Bailey.

Related topics:Aston Villa

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