‘Can’t wait to play for Bangladesh’: FIFA clears Hamza to wear Red and Green
The wait is finally over. Leicester City FC midfielder Hamza Choudhury now belongs to Bangladesh national football team as the FIFA has cleared the England-born footballer to represent the red and greens at international level.
"Hi everyone. It's Hamza here. So happy that everything's over the line. Can't wait to play for Bangladesh. Hopefully see you guys soon," Hamza said in a video message shared by the Bangladesh Football Federation.
The 27-year-old also posted the announcement on his social media handle at 7:00pm Bangladesh time on Thursday after having posted a teaser a few hours earlier, keeping his legion of fans guessing about the announcement.
The social media post read: "Hamza Choudhury has officially made the decision to represent Bangladesh at international level. The Leicester City player has been flying the flag for Bangladeshi footballers everywhere since making his Premier League debut in 2017.
"Back then, Choudhury became the first player of Bangladeshi heritage to play in the top flight of English football. But today's news marks the first time in history a Premier League footballer will play for the Bengal Tigers.
"Every step Choudhury has taken in his career has led him to this milestone moment. From annual visits to his local village back home in Bangladesh as a kid, to captaining and winning the FA Cup with his boyhood club, Leicester City. In an exclusive interview with VERSUS, the 27-year-old discusses his decision to represent Bangladesh, what can be done to make football more accessible for South Asian footballers and the responsibility that comes with being the first Bangladeshi to play in the Premier League."
FIFA's decision was also corroborated by the Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF).
"FIFA cleared Hamza to play for Bangladesh," BFF's general secretary Emran Hossain Tushar told The Daily Star.
Hamza is expected to feature in Bangladesh's next international match on March 25, the first match of the Asian Cup Qualifiers against India, in Kolkata.
Comments