JAMAICA’S Reggae Boyz forward Dujuan “Whisper” Richards says he’s fulfilling a lifelong dream after his move to English Premier League (EPL) giants Chelsea was officially completed last month.

The 18-year-old footballer signed a pre-contract deal with the many-time league champions last March but the move was made permanent in January, and he has since been training with the senior and youth teams.

Richards made his playing debut for the under-18 team in their FA Youth Cup 2-1 win over Crystal Palace, during which he came on as a 77th-minute substitute. He was also introduced as a 90th-minute substitute in the under-21 team’s 2-0 vicotry over West Ham United.

Richards told Chelsea’s official website that he already feels settled at the club.

“I got the chance to train in the summer with the club during the preseason tour so I have the experience of playing with professional guys who are really experienced. I got along really well with [teammates] Carney Chukwuemeka and Noni Madueke. The feeling that I got was that everyone treats everyone as one,” he said.

He suggested that challenges growing up in Jamaica helped to shape his dream.

“It was rough for me; I’m from the ghetto but had a big dream. I didn’t know something like this would happen but in my mind I always thought that I would become a professional footballer. Whenever I got an opportunity, I took it. In Jamaica it’s not easy if you’re not mentally strong or mentally tough. You will fail if you’re not resilient,” he said.

Richards hailed his family and the Craig Butler-owned Phoenix Academy for smoothing over his journey to the professional ranks.

“My family were very important to me. They continue to always support me, text me, and check in on me — even during training. I love that. Going through the Phoenix Academy was a pleasure as well. I will always love Phoenix no matter what, and no matter what happens next I will always love Phoenix. I will always support them because they helped me when it was rough on my journey,” Richards added.

He also credited Jamaican teammate and Aston Villa forward Leon Bailey for inspiring him to reach the highest level.

“When I was younger I didn’t like watching live matches on television. I was always a fan of highlights and watching skills, seeing who the fastest player was, but as I got older I started getting into live football. I then started to watch players and wanting to be like them.

“Growing up I only watched Leon Bailey because he is from the same academy as me; he has been my idol for five or six years now. I’m really pleased to say that we’re friends now that we have met in the Jamaican national team. He was everything I wanted to be,” Richards said.

Since his international debut against Trinidad and Tobago in a friendly last March, Richards has been a fairly consistent presence in the national men’s senior team with seven appearances, including at the Concacaf Gold Cup and Nations League.

The former schoolboy football standout says playing for Jamaica is a dream come true.

“Stepping on the pitch for the country I was born [in] was like winning the Ballon d’Or — it was a really special moment. To then score [against Trinidad at the Gold Cup], I didn’t know what to do; I just ran and did a celebration for fun [as] I didn’t know what to do. I have seen videos of my family screaming and crying. It was something special,” he said.

Richards will look to be a part of the Reggae Boyz squad for the Nations League Finals next month. He will also look to break into Mauricio Pochettino’s struggling senior Chelsea team which is currently 11th in the league table.