Hamza Choudhury

Leicester City

Early career

Choudhury began his career at the Leicester City Academy, joining the club at the age of 7 in 2005. At the age of 16, Choudhury was reportedly monitored by a number of top European clubs.

Loans to Burton Albion

Choudhury joined League One leaders Burton Albion on a one-month loan deal on 27 February 2016. He made his debut in the Football League later that same day, coming on as a 77th-minute substitute for Tom Naylor in a 0–0 draw with Walsall at the Pirelli Stadium. On 6 August, Choudhury signed another loan deal with Burton Albion for the 2016–17 season. On the same day, Choudhury featured in Burton Albion's first ever Championship game, claiming an assist in a 4–3 defeat against Nottingham Forest.

First-team breakthrough

Choudhury made his first-team debut for Leicester City on 19 September 2017, coming on as substitute in a 2–0 win against Liverpool at home in the third round of the EFL Cup. He made his Premier League debut on 28 November as a substitute at home in a 2–1 win against Tottenham Hotspur. His first Premier League start came on 14 April 2018, in a 2–1 away defeat to Burnley. On 30 August 2019, Choudhury signed a new four-year contract with Leicester. On 1 January 2020, Choudhury scored his first senior goal for Leicester, an outside the box strike in the 86th minute, in a 3–0 away win at Newcastle United. On 22 October 2020, Choudhury made his first appearance in a European competition,…

England

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.

Bangladesh

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 team for their 2026 World Cup qualifiers in March 2024. Choudhury 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. He officially switched allegiance to Bangladesh on 19 December 2024. On 9 February 2025, Hamza was included in the preliminary squad for Bangladesh's 2027 AFC Asian Cup third round qualifier match against India. On 25 March, he made his debut for Bangladesh in a 0–0 draw against India. On 4 June 2025, Choudhury scored his first international goal in a 2–0…

Choudhury was born in Loughborough, Leicestershire, to a Grenadian father and Bangladeshi mother. Choudhury 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, Sylhet in Bangladesh.

Choudhury can speak Sylheti with a good degree of fluency. 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 Throne Verse and various duas. In April 2019, Choudhury apologised for his historical tweets about race and suicide. He was later charged with misconduct by the FA, and fined £5,000 and put on an educational course. Choudhury and his wife have three children born in 2018, 2020, and 2023. On 19 January 2024, Choudhury was caught drink 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. After winning in the 2021 FA Cup final, Choudhury and his teammate Wesley Fofana both celebrated draped in the flag of Palestine, during the 2021 Israel–Palestine crisis. In October 2023, Choudhury used the phrase "from the river to the sea" on X in the wake of the Gaza war. The Football Association later wrote to clubs to ask their players not to use the phrase on social media. In 2024, Choudhury won the Sports Personality of the Year award at the Asian Achievers Awards for his achievements and contribution to professional football in the UK. In November 2025, Choudhury was appointed as the brand ambassador for the mobile financial service bKash, succeeding actor Afran Nisho.