After securing a deadline day move to Leicester City on Monday, Reggae Boyz winger Dujuan “Whisper” Richards says he’s ready to make an immediate impact in helping the club move up the English Championship table.

Richards will play professional club football for the first time in his career as he joins Leicester on loan from English Premier League giants Chelsea for the remainder of the 2025/2026 season.

In the summer of 2023, the 20-year-old signed for Chelsea from the Craig Butler-owned Phoenix Academy, in one of the most notable transfers in Jamaican football history.

Despite training stints with the first team and joining their preseason tour of the USA in 2023, Richards has yet to make an appearance for the first team with his competitive action coming for the under-21 team where he scored seven goals in 19 appearances in the Premier League 2 competition.

Now given the chance of playing senior football with Leicester, Richards says he’s ready to make it count.

“It’s a good feeling to be at this massive club with great history and I can’t wait to get started and see the Foxes fans,” he said.

“[It’s] the first part of my career where I start playing men’s football and get the experience, [get] a bit of exposure and to show the world what I can do.”

Richards, who has two goals in 14 caps for Jamaica, becomes the 12th Reggae Boy to suit up for Leicester City, joining the likes of Premier League winners Wes Morgan and Demarai Gray.

He says current international teammate, now club teammate, Bobby Reid was a factor in choosing Leicester.

“Bobby is a massive part of me joining Leicester. He just messaged me one day and said it’s a great club with great history. I think you should come and develop your talent and show the world what you can do.”

Richards took part in his first training session on Wednesday ahead of their clash on Saturday with Gray’s Birmingham City and already feels part of the group.

“The intensity was high and I’m kind of used to that as well from Chelsea and from Jamaica first team, I just locked in and [I am] adapting,” he said. “It helps a lot to know that the players are welcoming everybody in and [it feels like] I’ve been here three years but [it’s] just one day so I’m happy for that.”

Leicester are currently 17th in the Championship with 38 points, just six above the relegation zone but 9 points off a play-off spot in a compact points table.

The club, who were relegated from the Premier League last season, have seen their forward line struggle with winger Abdul Fatawu leading with six goals. It led to a long training stint for Reggae Boy Michail Antonio but Leicester opted not to sign him after he picked up an injury.

Richards, though, says he plans to make a difference in their attacking output. When asked what fans can expect, he said, “Just bere goals, bere goals, goals, goals.”

“I’m very, very excited. I can’t wait to start scoring some goals for the club.”

Richards will likely have to impress a new manager soon after Leicester sacked Martin Cifuentes on January 25. Former Leicester midfielder and Premier League winner Andy King is currently in charge on an interim basis for their game against Birmingham but reports say the club is looking to find a replacement in the coming days.

Dujuan “Whisper” Richards is set to make his debut for Leicester City in the English Championships after his loan move from Chelsea.

.I’m very, very excited. I can’t wait to start scoring some goals for the club

RICHARDS….It’s a good feeling to be at this massive club with great history and I can’t wait to get started and see the Foxes fans (Photo: Paul Reid)