Leicester City midfielder Hamza Choudhury has officially switched his international allegiance to Bangladesh, marking a significant moment in football history.
The 27-year-old, who was born in Loughborough and graduated from Leicester City’s academy, previously represented England at the Under-21 level, earning seven caps. Hamza Choudhury uses his ancestral roots to qualify for Bangladesh, becoming the first Premier League player to represent the Bengal Tigers, currently ranked 185th in FIFA’s world rankings.
The Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) confirmed the decision in a statement:
“We are pleased to inform that Hamza Dewan Choudhury has been cleared to play for Bangladesh. This decision was made by the Player’s Status Chamber of the Football Tribunal of FIFA.”
Choudhury has made 89 Premier League appearances since debuting for Leicester in 2017 and was an integral part of the squad that secured the club’s first-ever FA Cup triumph in 2021.
The midfielder expressed his excitement about the move:
“I’m so happy everything is over the line, and I can’t wait to be playing for Bangladesh.”
Choudhury, currently the only British Asian playing in the Premier League, joins a unique legacy in football. While fellow Leicester City player Arjan Raikhy also has British Asian heritage, he has yet to make his Premier League debut.
Choudhury’s decision highlights the increasing diversity in football and promises to bring fresh energy to the Bangladesh national team as they look to make strides on the international stage.
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