Hamza Choudhury, a Leicester City star, has announced a major decision regarding his international future.
The 27-year-old midfielder, born in Loughborough, will be switching his national allegiance from England to Bangladesh.
The Announcement on Social Media
Choudhury made his announcement on Leicester’s official X account, where he proudly displayed the flag of his new country.
Having represented England at the U-21 level, Choudhury earned seven caps for his youth team but struggled to break into the senior squad.
This has led him to explore new opportunities on the international stage.
A Decision Years in the Making
Reflecting on his journey, Choudhury explained that this switch had been in the works for several years.
“I represented England in the youth team, but as my career progressed, it came to fruition that it is not an option for me,” he shared with The Athletic.
His decision was strongly influenced by his desire to represent Bangladesh, particularly due to his deep connection with the country’s fans.
“I’ve always had it in the back of my mind that I’d like to represent Bangladesh, and more importantly, the people of Bangladesh,” he added.
Choudhury revealed that he receives daily messages from passionate fans in Bangladesh, urging him to make this change.
A New Chapter for Bangladesh Football
Bangladesh, currently ranked 185th in the world by FIFA, has struggled on the international football stage.
The nation finished at the bottom of their group in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.
However, Choudhury’s move is seen as a huge boost to their hopes of improving, with the Leicester player eager to bring attention to the nation’s footballing potential.
Choudhury is determined to help build the football infrastructure in Bangladesh.
“Cricket is the most popular sport there, but football is what the people truly love,” he explained.
He believes that with the right development, players from Bangladesh could break into European leagues and gain international exposure.
Long-Term Vision for Football in Bangladesh
Choudhury hopes that his move will inspire more young Bangladeshis to pursue football seriously.
“If I can help provide a stepping stone for players to reach the top leagues, that would be a huge success,” he said.
His goal is to open doors for players to compete in top European leagues, while also working on improving local football systems.
“I hope to bring a European outlook to Bangladesh’s football,” he added, acknowledging the Bangladesh Football Federation’s ongoing efforts.
Choudhury is optimistic that his involvement can help pave the way for the future of football in his mother’s homeland.
Looking Forward to New Challenges
With his move to represent Bangladesh, Choudhury is ready for the next chapter in his career.
He’s eager to contribute to the growth of football in the country, and fans from both Bangladesh and Leicester are excited to see what comes next for this talented player.