After a difficult start to senior club football, Reggae Boyz winger Dujuan “Whisper” Richards says he’s looking to finally make his mark after joining English Football League (EFL) League One club AFC Wimbledon on a season—long loan from Chelsea FC.

Richards sealed the move to England’s third division outfit just before the summer transfer window closed, making it his second loan spell away from Premier League giants Chelsea. The young Jamaican reportedly had several options but made the decision after seeing the South London club’s win against Wigan Athletic on Sunday.

“[It’s a] great feeling. [I] can’t wait to get started and hit the ground running. Just trying to get back… and score some goals,” he said.

The 20-year-old was not part of Chelsea’s preseason under new manager Xabi Alonso and was not involved with the Under-21s for their Premier League 2 and EFL Trophy fixtures last month.

Richards joined former Premier League champions Leicester City in the EFL Championship on deadline day in January. However, he struggled for playing time, making just three substitute appearances in his first 10 games, totalling 26 minutes. He was then left out of matchday squad altogether for the remaining five games of the season as Leicester suffered relegation.

Richards’ lack of minutes ultimately played a role in not being part of the Reggae Boyz squad for the FIFA World Cup Play-offs in March against New Caledonia and DR Congo. He had previously played the final four games in the final round of Concacaf World Cup qualifying.

Despite the challenges during the Leicester loan spell, Richards believes it was a teachable moment.

“I think it was the right thing, it went the right way in my opinion to see where I’m at and to just start focusing on the things that are right,” he said.

He now joins Wimbledon, who finished 19th in League One last season, avoiding relegation by four points. The club are currently have four points from their first three games of the league season.

“I’ve been watching [the team] for the last couple of days. I think after the game against Wigan I was like, they’ve really got a good team that could be successful this season. I’m ready [and] ready to do what it takes to be the fans’ favourite,” Richards said.

He joins former Reggae Boyz Jason Euell and Marcus Gayle as well as 2023 debutant Delano Splatt as Jamaica internationals to play for AFC Wimbledon.

Richards could be involved in today’s contest against Burton Albion at 1:45 pm Jamaica time.

During the announcement by the club, Richards credited his “idol”, fellow Reggae Boy Leon Bailey, for inspiring him.

“When I was growing up it was only him to watch on YouTube back then so he was basically our Messi in Jamaica at the time [and] still is. I’m grateful, he’s basically the person that brought me to the Phoenix Academy so I’m grateful,” he said.

Bailey, meanwhile, was unable to secure a deadline day move from Aston Villa, after being linked with Premier League club Hull City and La Liga side Sevilla.

The 29-year-old was seemingly on the verge of joining newly promoted Hull in July but talks broke down with agent and Phoenix Academy owner Craig Butler telling the Jamaica Observer that he had several options on the table.

Bailey returned to Villa in January after an unsuccessful loan spell at Serie A club AS Roma. Despite making 21 appearances and winning the Europa League, he was told he would not be part of manager Unai Emery’s plans for the season, despite being involved in preseason.

“We were expecting him to leave,” Emery said last Friday “When we left for Asia, he was close to leaving, but he is still with us now. Hopefully, he can get a good opportunity to leave and join another club and continue his career, and this is our objective.”

Reports from England say Bailey, currently training alone at Villa’s facilities, could move to Saudi Arabia with their transfer window open until Sunday. Al-Diriyah are reportedly front-runners who have former Liverpool star Darwin Nunez and former PSG and Everton midfielder Idrissa Gueye in their ranks. Al-Ittihad, former club of French stars Karim Benzema and N’Golo Kante, are also interested.

Bailey joined Villa from Bayer Leverkusen in 2021 and scored 23 goals in 163 appearances in all competitions.