Biography

Hamza Dewan Choudhury
professional footballer

Hamza Dewan Choudhury is an English-Bangladeshi professional footballer who plays as a defensive midfielder or right-back for Premier League club Leicester City. Choudhury is a product of Leicester City Academy, he joined the club at the age of seven. After gaining professional experience with two loan spells at Burton Albion, he has made over 100 senior appearances for Leicester since 2017.With Leicester, Choudhury won the FA Cup in 2021. Choudhury has represented England at under-21 level.

Choudhury was born in Loughborough, Leicestershire.

International career

On 26 May 2018, Choudhury made his debut for the England national under-21 football team, coming on as a substitute during the 2–1 win against China under-21 in the 2018 Toulon Tournament. Choudhury started for England in the next match of the tournament, a 0–0 draw against Mexico.

On 27 May 2019, Choudhury was included in England's 23-man squad for the 2019 UEFA European Under-21 Championship but was shown a straight red card for a reckless tackle during the second half of the opening 2–1 defeat to France in Cesena.

While eligible to represent Bangladesh and Grenada, Choudhury expressed in October 2019 that his goal was to play for England, saying, "To play for England is my biggest dream, to represent the senior team.However, on 27 February 2024, reports confirmed he was in talks to join the Bangladesh national football team for their 2026 World Cup qualifiers in March 2024.

He obtained his Bangladeshi passport on 23 August 2024, and on 24 September 2024, the English Football Association issued him a No Objection Certificate (NOC), allowing him to officially represent Bangladesh.

Personal life

Choudhury is of Bangladeshi and Grenadian ancestry. He was raised in a traditional Bangladeshi Muslim household by his mother and stepfather and has visited Bangladesh since he was a child. His maternal ancestral home is in Bahubal, Habiganj District in Bangladesh. His stepfather is also Bangladeshi. Choudhury can speak Sylheti with a good degree of fluency. He is eligible to play for the Grenada national team through his ancestry.

Choudhury is a Sunni Muslim and attended evening madrasa during his youth. He has stated that before leaving the changing room for a match, he recites parts of the Qur'an in Arabic such as the Verse of the Throne and various duas.

In April 2019 he apologised for historical tweets. He was later charged with misconduct by the FA, and fined £5,000, and put on an educational course.He and his wife have three children born in 2018, 2020, and 2023.

On 19 January 2024, Choudhury was caught driving on the wrong side of the road in West Bridgford after leaving his phone behind in a restaurant. He was given a driving ban and was fined £20,000 by Nottingham Magistrates' Court.