Sheffield United midfielder Hamza Dewan Choudhury landed at Sylhet Osmani International Airport on Monday morning and is now en route to his ancestral village, Snanghat in Bahubal Upazila, Habiganj, for a long-awaited homecoming.
“Hamza Choudhury is Dhaka-bound! The Bengal Tiger is on his way home,” the Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) announced in a social media post late Monday night.
Before departing for Bangladesh, Hamza featured in the Sheffield Derby against Sheffield Wednesday on Sunday evening. Sheffield United secured a 1-0 victory, with Rhian Brewster scoring the decisive goal. Hamza played the full 90 minutes.
He is traveling with his mother, Rafia Dewan Choudhury, his wife, Olivia Choudhury, their three children, his two brothers, a physiotherapist, and another member of his entourage.
His father, Dewan Murshid Choudhury, arrived in Bangladesh three weeks ago to oversee preparations for his son’s return. While Hamza has visited before, this homecoming carries added significance, with heightened security measures in place due to his growing status as a national icon.
The Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF), in coordination with local authorities and law enforcement, is ensuring comprehensive security arrangements for Hamza and his family.
Meanwhile, the Bangladesh national football team, currently training in Taif, Saudi Arabia, is set to arrive in Dhaka on Tuesday.
Hamza will officially address the media at a press conference on Wednesday following a photo session with the team. He is also expected to participate in training under head coach Javier Cabrera later that day.
The 27-year-old midfielder is set to make his international debut for Bangladesh in a crucial AFC Asian Cup 2027 Qualifiers Final Round first-leg match against India on March 25 at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Shillong.
Currently playing for EFL Championship side Sheffield United on loan from Premier League club Leicester City, Hamza’s loan deal is set to expire on May 21, after which he is likely to return to Leicester.
BDST: 1230 HRS, MAR 17, 2025
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