NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND: Hamza Choudhury of Leicester City during the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Leicester City at St James' Park on December 14, 2024 in Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom. (Photo by Plumb Images/Leicester City FC via Getty Images)
Hamza Choudhury played seven times for England at youth level
Former England under-21 international Hamza Choudhury has changed his international allegiance to Bangladesh.
Choudhury, 27, was born in Loughborough but will now represent his mother's homeland. The Leicester City star played seven times for England U21s, having been highly rated at the start of his career.
But Choudhury admits that playing for the Three Lions are 'no longer an option' for him. The midfielder will instead become the first Premier League player to represent Bangladesh, who are ranked 185th in the world by FIFA.
"We are pleased to inform that Hamza Dewan Choudhury has been cleared to play for Bangladesh," the Bangladesh Football Federation confirmed. "This decision was made by the Player's Status Chamber of the Football Tribunal of FIFA."
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Choudhury made his debut for Leicester in 2017 and barring a one-season long spell with Watford, has played for the Foxes ever since. The 27-year-old started last weekend's 4-0 defeat to Newcastle, leaving Leicester 17th in the Premier League table under new manager Ruud van Nistelrooy.
In March, Bangladesh face India away from home in Asian Cup qualification, with Choudhury in line to make his debut. The Bengal Tigers recently finished bottom of the 2026 World Cup qualifying group.
"It's something that's been in the works for a couple of years," Choudhury told The Athletic. "I represented England in the youth team, but as my career progressed, it came to fruition that is not an option for me.
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"It's something I've definitely always had in the back of my mind, that I'd like to represent Bangladesh - and the people of Bangladesh more importantly. I've got a really good connection with the fans in Bangladesh.
"I get messages every day letting me know that they want me to come and play. I also feel like it's something that I wanted to do to have some more exposure for Bangladesh on the footballing stage."
Choudhury will follow in the footsteps of several other English-born players who've represented foreign countries. While the home nations have their fare share of converted players, Aston Villa right-back Matty Cash made his debut for Poland in 2021 and West Ham striker Michail Antonio plays for Jamaica alongside Al-Ettifaq winger Demarai Gray.
For now, Choudhury's focus will be on helping Leicester move away from the relegation zone, as they host 19th-placed Wolves on Sunday.
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